So You’re Awakening to #BlackLivesMatter & Systemic Racism, Now What?
Wrestling with privilege, injustice, white supremacy, personal bias and systemic racism is necessary mental health & soul work. It’s a lifelong journey, not a sprint. My voice is absolutely not the one that needs to be heard, so here is a compilation of activists & authors who are doing the work and can expertly guide you in the “now what?” questions.
Follow these leaders, read their work, listen, learn, compensate them financially for their work, and keep doing your own personal work (journal, talk it through with a non-black friend, talk to your therapist… do not burden your black friends with your process). Listen, listen, listen, listen some more, wrestle with your defensiveness, keep listening, then take action with your voice, your money, your body, your decisions, and your vote. Consider purchasing any books from black-owned businesses rather than Amazon.
Stages of Racial Identity Development
Before jumping to take action, identify where you may be in your racial identity development journey. Taking action may take different forms through various stages of development.
Scaffolded Antiracism Document compiled by Anna Stamborski, Nikki Zimmermann, Bailie Gregory
Offers stages of white identity development & recommendations for each stage
Ben McBride
Oakland pastor, activist, co-founder of PICO
www.bringtheheat.info
Weekly Facebook Live town halls Thursdays @ 4pm
Myisha T. Hill
Oakland mental wellness activist, author, coach, workshops
https://checkyourprivilege.co/
Black History Read, Watch & Listen List compiled by Dominique Gilliard, Author of Rethinking Incarceration
41 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism & Resistance compiled by The Conscious Kid (Patreon subscription required, support their fantastic work)
Antiracist Reading List compiled by The Stack
Antiracism Resources for White People compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein
Faith Based Antiracism Booklist compiled by Nate Lee
The Color of Compromise (video - also has book)
The Color of Compromise Video Study reveals chilling connections between the church and racism throughout American history. Jemar Tisby explores ways Christians have reinforced theories of racial superiority and inferiority, and outlines the kind of bold action needed to forge a future of equality and justice. Please note that some sessions contain graphic content that viewers may find disturbing.
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
Expressive Writing Prompts to Use If You’ve Been Accused of #WhiteFragility #SpiritualBypass or #WhitePrivilege by Leesa Renee Hall
Follow on Instagram:
@austinchanning
@beabridgebuilder
@ckyourprivelege
@eji_org
@ijeomaoluo
@mspackyetti
@laylafsaad
@rachel.cargle
@theconsciouskid
@blackcoffeewithwhitefriends
@blackandembodied
@therapyforblackgirls
Podcasts:
https://austinchanning.substack.com/ hosted by Austin Channing Brown, author of I’m Still Here, Black Dignity in a White World
The Good Ancestor Podcast hosted by Layla Saad, author of Me & White Supremacy
Code Switch by NPR
1619 by The New York Times
In the resources above, you will find fantastic communities, journaling prompts, etc for your journey. In addition, if you would like to use therapy as a space to process, you can reach me here.
Your fellow journeyer,
Mackenzie