Since the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement this past summer, the concept of activism has come under close examination. In late May, the brutal killing of George Floyd motivated millions of people to take action against white supremacy and systemic racism in the United States in a variety of ways—protesting, calling government officials and signing petitions, having uncomfortable conversations with relatives and friends, etc. Social media in the movement has been somewhat of a double-edged sword, enabling people to share important information and support, yet also giving way to performative allyship and activism in which no real action is taken. This poses the question of what it means to be an effective anti-racist ally. I have learned it to be the commitment to intentionally understanding one’s privilege, openly listening to and learning from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), and actively “fight[ing] racism wherever you find it, including in yourself.” (Ijeoma Oluo, the author of So You Want to Talk About Race). As a non-black person, I don’t feel that it’s my place to explain to you all the ways that Black Americans are impacted by systemic racism, as I won’t ever be able to fully understand. What I can do from my place of privilege while I have your attention is direct you to this list of important Black voices and other resources that any and all members of the Prep community (and beyond) can use as a starting point to effectively, openly, intentionally, and actively fighting racism in this country. 

Before you go through this list, I have a few words of caution. Many people, teenagers especially, have been accused of being bandwagon activists–getting involved in the movement when they don’t know much about it. Even if you’re not a bandwagon or performative activist, it’s quite easy to get caught up in the buzz of the movement and lose sight of what you’re fighting for and why. This is why the following collection of resources should not be read as a “to-do list”, but rather a “to-look-into-and-then-do list.” We all have different strengths, passions, privilege, and perspectives, just as we all have a role and responsibility in this movement against white supremacy and systemic racism. It is vital that we each be committed to learning from others and taking anti-racist action from an informed, honest perspective, rather than a pressured, crowd mentality. I encourage you all to use these resources and other information you gather to more fully develop yourselves, your own opinions, and your own actions as anti-racist activists and allies. 

TAKE ACTION

Visit this link to find petitions for specific victims of police brutality’s cases, and various federal and state acts regarding police reform.  blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#petitions 

This google doc is a working collection of many educational resources (some included below) on various topics regarding racism.

Donate

ACLU Racial Justice Program

Black Lives Matter

Black Visions Collective

Campaign Zero

Equal Justice Initiative

Fair Fight

Fearless Fund

Know Your Rights Campaign, founded by Colin Kaepernick

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

New Voices Fund

Reclaim The Block

MOVIES&SERIES

13th, Ava DuVernay

I Am Not Your Negro, Raoul Peck

Just Mercy, Destin Daniel Cretton

The Hate U Give, George Tillman Jr.

When They See Us, Ava DuVernay

Selma, Ava DuVernay

Loving by Jeff Nichols

Do The Right Thing by Spike Lee

Fruitvale Station by Ryan Coogler

Dear White People, Justin Simien

Marshall, Reginald Hudlin

Black-ish, Kenya Barris

BOOKS 

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown

Why They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & Asha Bandele

Me and White Supremacy by Laya Saad

Stamped from the Beginning By. Ibram X. Kendi

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

The Condemnation of Blackness by Khalil Gibran Muhammad

The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain by Langston Hughes

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

PODCASTS 

Black History and Culture

1619 by New York Times

Black History Year by Pushblack

The Nod by Gimlet

The Stoop by Leila Day & Hana Baba

You Had Me at Black by You Had Me at Black

Intersectionality

Busy Being Black by W!ZARD Studios

Intersectionality Matters! by African American Policy Forum

Race and Politics

Code Switch by NPR

Pod Save the People by Crooked Media

Race and Pop Culture

Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast by 

Strong Black Lead by Netflix

Mental Health

Therapy for Black Girls by Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D.