We are all dealing with heartbreak and frustration over the systemic racism in our country that has historically caused so much harm, and continues to result in violence and abuse of power against people of color.
The children and families we serve at CASA are often disproportionately affected by the systems that make police brutality possible. It is critical to our mission to not only speak out against injustices in our society, but to take action, and educate our community on how we can all be actively anti-racist in our daily lives.
This month, instead of our regular blog of CASA recommendations, we’ve compiled a list of books, shows, documentaries, resource documents and more that serve to amplify the Black community’s voice, and we feel can help others to learn, grow, and enact change for racial justice. Here’s what matters right now.
These shows directly address racial injustices, discrimination, and racial identity:
Little Fires Everywhere based on the book by Celeste Ng—now streaming on Hulu
When They See Us written and directed by Ava DuVernay—now streaming on Netflix
Dear White People written by Justin Simien and Njeri Brown—now streaming on Netflix
Seven Seconds created by Veena Sud—now streaming on Netflix
These documentaries highlight the same issues, as well as the inequities of our justice system:
The Innocence Files based on the work of The Innocence Project—now streaming on Netflix
13th directed by Ava DuVernay—now streaming on Netflix
Who Killed Malcolm X directed by Rachel Dretzin and Phil Bertelsen—now streaming on Netflix
Emanuel produced by Stephen Curry, Viola Davis, and Mariska Hargitay—now streaming on Amazon Prime
ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke directed by Kelly Duane de la Vega—now streaming on Netflix
Strong Island directed by Yance Ford—now streaming on Netflix
Podcasts that explore race in America, past and present:
Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
Intersectionality Matters with Kimberlé Crenshaw
Angela Glover Blackwell’s Radical Imagination
These books for adults and children highlight systemic racism in America and how these ideas are perpetuated, tell the important stories of people of color, and can be educational sources for how to begin a journey towards anti-racism:
Children’s Books
Non-Fiction:
The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory
Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History by Walter Dean Myers and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Fiction:
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Eighth-Grade Superzero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton
Books for Adults
Non-Fiction:
How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
The History of White People by Nell Irvin Painter
My Vanishing Country: A Memoir by Bakari Sellers
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Just Mercy A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
Fiction:
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
These short but meaningful articles are a great read:
Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race
I need white mamas to come running
100 Ways White People Can Make Life Less Frustrating For People of Color
How White People Can Hold Each Other Accountable to Stop Institutional Racism
These resource documents outline the steps needed to practice anti-racism in your daily life:
Summary of Stages of Racial Identity Development
Race: The Power of an Illusion
Practice mindfulness with an organization that’s bringing yoga to underserved and Black communities in Texas:
Virtual Yoga N Da Hood with Ebony Smith
To follow Ebony: @yogandahood
Instagram accounts that create educational content and amplify Black voices:
2020 Culture & Diversity CASA Recommends Advocacy June
