Anti-racism resources
Many members of Prairie Hill have expressed support for the Black Lives Matter and anti-racism movements. A group of us met to look for ways to further educate ourselves and to come up with possible action steps for our community.
Here's a starter list of things we are reading, watching and listening to about race, anti-racism, Black Lives Matter, systemic inequity, how to have hard conversations, and more.
From the Washington Post: Anti-Racist Literature
A comprehensive article that names the anti-racist books in greatest demand in libraries, e-book services, and bookstores, Some libraries have waitlists for ebooks in the thousands. Some books are being reprinted and reprinted or republished due to demand. Anti-racist books are topping and dominating non-fiction best-seller lists whereas there were none there a few months ago. If you have any of these books, read them and share them with others. (Carolyn Dyer)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/business/black-owned-bookstores-anti-racist-literature/
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
This book reveals how the laws, policies, and regulations at all levels of government resulted racial segregation in cities across the U.S. Since reading this a few years back, I've often times feel that I can better appreciate/understand news reports that touch on housing, neighborhoods, interstate highways, etc. (Becky Kessler)
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
This book not only reviews much of what American history textbooks got/get wrong, but also explains how textbooks are vetted and by whom. (Becky Kessler)
Anti-Racism Daily: Your Daily Reminder to Dismantle White Supremacy
Acknowledge the Harm of Microaggressions is a recent topic. I’m finding this daily newsletter helpful. (Pat Ryan)
https://www.antiracismdaily.com/
Anti-racism: You may be doing it wrong – Here’s why
My friend, Lois Baker, sent me the following link, subsequent to our regular conversations about anti-racism and hard conversations. Interestingly, it starts from the top with the suggestion not to turn to BIPOC to educate us, a concept we discussed some this morning. It also contains a link to the Rochester Tool Kit, which has lots of concepts and resources that might be useful. (Pat Ryan)
https://www.thelily.com/anti-racism-you-may-be-doing-it-wrong-heres-why/
How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
I also ordered Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, which was recommended by a friend. And I highly recommend the OnBeing podcast with Krista Tippett who is interviewing some very interesting people with her Civil Conversations Project. (Val Bowman)
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
I appreciate the well-written, clear descriptions, with personal examples, of concepts that we privileged white people need to understand and feel, such as the school-to-prison pipeline, checking my privilege, and microaggressions. She ends the book powerfully with a list of things white people can do to work toward dismantling the complex system of racism that has been functioning in this country for over 400 years. (Pat Ryan)
Thirteenth
A very powerful and informative documentary on racial injustice and the inequity of black people in prison. It details the work done leading to the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution and all it DOES NOT guarantee for Black Americans. Eye-opening and well produced. Two amazing things in it were the eerie coincidence of the words " I Can't Breathe" by a Black man during the MLK rallies (see if you see it and hear it during the documentary) and the staggering numbers on black incarceration over the years. Filmed in 2016. Available on Netflix. 1 hour-40 minutes. (Michael Pacha and Mary Beth Versgrove)
White Guilt by Shelby Steele
The viewpoints expressed in this book and in the two links below don't seem to be too common in the mainstream. I tend to look at all sides of issues. (Polly Parrish)
Here is a YouTube video interview with Aayan Hirsi Ali. She brings a unique perspective to race in America (38 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqlAIruP-EA&list=LLI-PoIfSJo5bH67hLBg1riA&index=4&t=0s
I also get wisdom from the "Black Wisdom" guys about some little-discussed views (12 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rRHmpCq3z4&list=LLI-PoIfSJo5bH67hLBg1riA&index=3&t=0s
How White People Can Support the Movement for Black Lives: Learning to Follow
https://forge.medium.com/3-ways-white-people-can-start-learning-to-follow-7d1ec0d88a2f (Val Bowen)
Slavery By Another Name
This documentary is about the period between emancipation and WW II. It is about “peonage,” a term I'd never heard. It is a form of slavery that was even more hopeless and insidious than what the blacks endured prior to emancipation. It is available from the Iowa City Public Library and is a PBS production. (Donna Rupp)
Top 10 Takeaways from the book Crucial Conversations
Food for thought when you are discussing anti-racism, systemic inequity and other potentially heated issues.
https://athlosacademies.org/top-10-takeaways-from-crucial-conversations/
The 10 R’s of Talking About Race: How to Have Meaningful Conversations
Brene Brown on Empathy
Only 2.53 minutes of a simple cartoon. Very worthwhile, especially in hard conversations. (Val Bowman)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw&feature=youtu.be
Let’s Get to the Root of Racial Injustice
https://tedxseattle.com/talks/lets-get-to-the-racial-injustice/ (Val Bowman)
21-Day Anti Racism Challenge
https://bexleyarp.org/events/21-days (Val Bowman)
Augustana College Library Race and Inequality Resource Guide
Tredway Library has a new guide to resources on race and inequality, featuring films and books available at the library, open source books and films, and publicly-accessible sources such as podcasts, social media, and 'zines. (Jen Popple)
https://library.augustana.edu/raceandinequality
Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice by Paul Kivel
Helpful basics. (Annie Tucker)
My Grandmother’s Hands
An interview with author Resmaa Menakem
https://onbeing.org/programs/resmaa-menakem-notice-the-rage-notice-the-silence/
(Annie Tucker, thanks to Val Bowman and Naomi Tucker)
White Privilege 101: Getting in on the Conversation
Clips from a variety of people explaining the basics of white privilege. 40 minutes. (Annie Tucker)