When I wrote my recent blog posts on race, drawing from my own experience as part of a mixed race family, I had no idea that this subject would so soon transition from a tentative, often controversial conversation to mainstream, organised outcry. Throughout these weeks of global protests, campaigns, lectures, courses and voracious reading (learning and unlearning), I have been tempted to share my evolving thoughts on the subject. But actually, I’m not going to. I don’t think the world (or the virtual part of it) needs another white person’s opinion right now. There are times when it simply seems wiser and more beneficial to the overall cause to serve as a road sign; times when arrows and explicit ‘this way’ messages are more effective than sharing a commentary on the journey. It also seems somewhat antithetical to take up more space on this subject when there is already ample material (especially from black writers and trusted institutions) to be digested and considered as we ‘do our work’ on racism. Why dilute the discourse with another dose of my opinion? And so, I’m going to ‘offer directions’ by building on my previous post's resource list, and sharing an expanded list of books, articles, businesses, and accounts on social media that I have found highly educative and worthy of support. Far from extensive or comprehensive, it is just a small, very personal list - reflecting what I have actually read or those accounts I actively follow; as such it has many gaps, but isn’t that the point? To keep learning and discovering.
And as a small gesture of my desire to support this vital work, I am buying an extra copy of one of my favourite books on race (so far): White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. I would like to send it to the first person here who says they would like to read it. The only condition is that whoever receives it, after reading it, must send it on to someone else. Not as a pointed, enforced attempt to educate - but as a gift to someone who is also receptive to learning and working on this issue. If you haven’t got/read White Fragility and would like to, please let me know. My extra copy is waiting to be sent to you! Social Media Accounts (mainly Instagram) Nova Reid Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Rachel Cargle Check Your Privilege Ijeoma Oluo Well-Read Black Girl Here Wee Read (diversity and inclusion expert): books for children Books For Diversity: children’s books Soul Pancake Letters from Baha’i Institutions ‘Vision of Race Unity: America’s Most Challenging Issue’ - https://bahai-library.com/nsa_race_unity ‘Forging a Path to Racial Justice’ - https://www.bahai.us/path-to-racial-justice/ Books White Fragility - Robin DiAngelo Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire - Akala Why I Am No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge Businesses (UK) Sancho’s (WowSancho on Instagram) - Black woman owned ethical clothes business New Beacon Books - specialist book ship in African and Caribbean literature (stocking all the recently popular books on race you can think of - buy from them!) Lutay BC - Black children’s author and illustrator (and my personal friend!) Jambo (VeryVeryPuzzled on Instagram) - producer of jigsaw puzzles representing the African continent, countries and culture Courses Rachel Cargle - The Great Unlearn Nova Reid - several courses on racism, white privilege, and business. Yale University - African American History Photo by Jens Johnsson from Pexels
2 Comments
Shria
8/7/2020 05:05:16
Dear Genevieve, thank you for this piece, I'd been looking for ideas of a good place to start. I would really like to read White Fragility if you still have that copy. I've been listening to a lot of Ted talks on this topic too and found Megan ming Francis ''s one to be really insightful and also David Ikard's.
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Talieh
8/7/2020 09:32:06
Shria beat me to it. But what I can do is purchase a copy myself and pass it on to amplify your contribution. Big hug. xx
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