There are so many lists out there with recommended resources, but of course we have our own viewpoint and we often get asked.
Here are our “go to” recommendations that we often assign as prep work when we work with organizations.
Scene on Radio’s Seeing White podcast
14 episodes in total, with each episode generally falling between 30-50 minutes long, this podcast provides a powerful and critical understanding of exactly how the concept of race has been constructed and embedded into every aspect of our culture and systems here in the US. This understanding is the foundation upon which meaningful conversations about race that lead to action and change can be built. Transcripts are also available for those who prefer to read rather than listen.
Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture
The original article by Tema Okun and Kenneth Jones written in 1999 was turned into a website (divorcing) White Supremacy Culture in 2021. A printable version of the updated characteristics are here. And no, we are not talking about extremist groups like Nazis or the KKK, or those that stormed the Capitol in Jan 2021. No, what this document is talking about is mainstream culture in the US and across much of the globe, the characteristics of which are pervasive and damaging "because they are used as norms and standards without being proactively named or chosen by the group." As the original document also said, "because we all live in a white supremacy culture, these characteristics show up in the attitudes and behaviors of all of us – people of color and white people." These characteristics are not just oppressive to people of color, but to those who face marginalization by others systems of oppression, and ultimately to all of us, although not equally.
What we have found powerful about this frame work is that the cultural characteristics that are named are ones that everyone can easily recognize and identify, and while they don’t necessarily sound like they are about race and identity, they are how oppression gets perpetuated. Awareness of these characteristics and their antidotes can quickly lead to behavioral change that results in shifts in culture.
Four Levels of Oppression
There are many different pieces on this concept, but we like the PDF from Colorado Inclusive Funders called “The Four I’s” of Oppression.”
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Kendi’s book, speaking from his perspective as a Black man, talks about how there is no such thing as a nonracist or race-neutral policy. To combat racism, it is not enough to passively abstain from overtly racist behaviors, attitudes or actions, one needs to be actively antiracist. Moreover, there are opportunities for people, regardless of their own racial background, to take up the practice of antiracism.
Estimated reading time for the entire book: 6 hours and 26 minutes. The book is also available on Kindle and in audio.
White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
DiAngelo speaks from her perspective as a white woman about “white fragility,” a term coined to describe the not necessarily ill-intentioned but counterproductive reactions that White people often have when talking about race, and how White people can engage more constructively instead. While the target of audience for this book is likely NOT people of color, some people of color appreciate having these everyday challenges acknowledged and validated.
Estimated reading time for the entire book: 3.5 hours. The book is also available on Kindle and in audio.
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala
Great for the UK side of things - same root, same principles, different history and manifestation, similar results.
Estimated reading time for the entire book: 5 hours 11 mins. The book is also available on Kindle and in audio, read by the author, which I highly recommend.
The “Problem” Woman of Color in the Workplace
This simple diagram by COCo speaks so powerfully to the experience of so many women of color in the workplace.
The Mask You Live In
Documentary directed by Jennifer Newsom, available to rent directly from the website or on Amazon Prime (1 hour 30 mins). This documentary beautifully unpacks the negative impact on the prevalent culture of toxic masculinity in the US not just on women but on our boys and men. It also shows the impact on gun violence, rape culture, homophobia, depression, alcoholism, addiction, and sexual abuse, powerfully articulated through both storytelling and data.
Why Do We Murder the Beautiful Friendships of Boys?
Article by Mark Greene (16 mins reading time) that also looks at the negative impact of toxic masculinity and “the man box” on boys.