We’re in the middle of a civil rights movement. It’ll be written about in history books. Your children – and your children’s children and so on – will read about it. What will you tell them about your actions? How did you respond to the call? The most recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor have been a wake up call to the systemic racism still very much present in America.
By no means is the following an exhaustive list of resources. I am *not* an expert on anti-racism work. I am actively doing my part, looking inward, and moving along on this journey towards allyship and wanted to start this post so it can live here forever as a resource that constantly gets add-ons. If you’ve been inspired by anyone or anything while confronting your own biases, please post in the comment section.
You are personally responsible for being more ethical than the society you grew up in. -Eliezer Yudkowsky
Watch
I’m starting with this category because the barrier to entry is low. Everyone is at home in front of their Netflix account. You can forgo a season of ‘Below Deck’ or whatever it is to view the eye-opening series listed below. I also recently recorded a podcast with Stan Evans of the Social Studies Show where we discuss racism in America. This is Part I. Please take a listen to our powerful conversation.
- 13th (Netflix)
- When They See Us (Netflix)
- Just Mercy (Hulu, Prime)
- Dear White People (Netflix)
- American Son (Netflix)
- See You Yesterday (Netflix)
- LA 92 (Netflix)
- The Hate U Give (Hulu)
- Hidden Figures (Hulu)
- If Beale Street Could Talk (Hulu)
- Selma (For rent)
- I Am Not Your Negro (For rent)
- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (For rent)
Read
The reading mood is real. I downloaded White Fragility on my Kindle app due to not being able to find a hard copy anywhere (which is ultimately a good thing, right?). Here’s a list of black-owned bookstores to support: Mahogany Books, Harrietts Bookshop, The Lit Bar, and Semicolon Bookstore. Bookshop.org supports local shops around the country where some titles are still out of stock.
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Me & White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
- White Rage by Carol Anderson
Listen
Podcasts are my favorite way to pass the time in the car, on a run or in-flight. I’m going to dig into 1619 on my plane ride this week.
Sign
Our Black community is being killed by unnecessary excessive force. The names below – all of them – should still be with us today. Take a moment and help us get justice. They are gone but not forgotten.
- Justice for George Floyd Petition
- Justice for Breonna Taylor Petition
- Justice for Ahmaud Arbery
- Justice for David McAtee
- Justice for Tony McDade
Donate
If you have the means, please consider investing in one or more of the organizations below that help fight for justice. Personally, I’ve been giving the ACLU a recurring donation every month for the past three years because they do incredible civil rights work while fighting for immigrants, voting rights, reproductive rights and more. I’ve also set up a recurring donation to the Loveland Foundation because I believe in the power of therapy for Black women and girls.
- Minnesota Freedom Fund
- ACLU Nationwide
- Black Lives Matter
- Color of Change
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund
- No White Saviors
- The Bail Project
- Loveland Foundation
Learn
I’ve spent many, many hours listening the past few weeks. Just listening. It’s the best form of learning. So far, I’ve taken Chrissy King’s course on anti-racism and highly recommend it for anyone in the wellness space!
- Chrissy King; Anti-Racism for Wellness Professionals (June 15th, 16th, 17th)
- Dianne Bondy; F*ck Your White Centered Wellness (June 12th virtual panel)
- Rachel Cargle; The Great Unlearn
- Myisha T. Hill; Author, Speaker, Coach & Founder of @ckyourprivilege
It’s a privilege to learn about racism instead of experiencing it your whole life. –Ahmed Ali
Support – Travel Creators
If you don’t already follow them, I’d love to introduce you to these incredibly talented Black content creators. Disclaimer: Their work will make you want to book a plane ticket. I’ve been lucky to meet a few of these creators while on my travels and have just recently discovered others. See the world through their perspective, but don’t just follow them because of the color of their skin. Follow them because they’re wildly talented with beautiful stories to tell about our amazing planet. By no means is this list finished – please add anyone you know and love in the comment section!
Name | Focus | |
Gina Danza | @wildginaa | Director, Photographer, Writer |
Gloria Atanmo | @glographics | Creator + Coach |
Ciara Johnson | @hey_ciara | Travel Blogger |
Jessica Nabongo | @thecatchmeifyoucan | Travel, Fashion, Beauty |
Lee Litumbe | @spiritedpursuit | Content creator, Travel |
Asiyami Gold | @asiyami_gold | Visual Storyteller |
Joy Iromuanya | @joyiromuanya | Flight Attendant + Travel Blogger |
Adrienne Jordan | @ajeveryday | Nature + Adventure Travel Writer |
Ashlee Major Moss | @ashleemajormoss | Travel Content Creator |
Cynthia Andrew | @simplycyn | Travel Blogger |
Clé Hunnigan | @alivelikethewind | Storyteller + Creative Producer |
Jessica Ufuoma | @theufuoma | Travel Blogger + Planner |
Bethsheba | @lostwithbeth | Travel Content Creator |
Alicia Tenise | @aliciatenise | Travel + Lifestyle Blogger |
Oneika Raymond | @oneikatraveller | TV Host, Writer & Int’l Speaker |
Cassy Isabella | @bellaworldwide | Travel Curator |
Daia Larie | @daialarie | Travel + Fashion Blogger |
Shea Powell | @theworldupcloser | Travel Creative |
Rachel | @jitabebe | Outdoor Enthusiast, Visual Storyteller |
Karl Shakur | @karl_shakur | Travel Photographer |
Jasmine Johnson | @byjasminejohnson | Content Creator |
Youri | @hola | Travel Filmmaker |
Support – Black Owned Brands
I want to be more intentional with where I put my money. Here are a few Black-owned businesses that I’m loving right now! I’ve been a huge fan of some of these brands for years – see my ONA Bag blog post here.
Brand | Focus | |
ONA Bags | @onabags | Photography Gear |
Jungalow | @thejungalow | Colorful Home Decor |
Omi Woods | @omiwoods | Layered Jewelry & Cultural Gems |
Lovely Earthlings | @lovelyearthlings | Art Prints, Tote Bags, Greeting Cards |
The Honey Pot Company | @thehoneypotco | Plant-based Feminine Care |
KNC Beauty | @kncbeauty | Natural Beauty Products |
Expedition Sub Sahara | @expeditionsubsahara | Senegalese Home Goods and Accessories |
Ashya | @ashya.co | Exploration Bags & Passport Holders |
Jade Swim | @jadeswim | Luxe Mineral Swimwear |
BLK & Bold | @blkandbold | Speciality Coffee & Tea |
lemlem | @lemlemofficial | Woven coverups, dresses and more |
Say what you need to on social media. Then put down your phone and pick up your life. Not many will see you learning, confessing, repenting, uprooting, re-tooling, forgiving, inviting, empowering. But we will see its fruits. The hidden work is the heart work is the hard work. –Ashlee Eiland
VOTE
Do you know if you’re registered to vote in your area? Find out in seconds at Vote.org. Find your polling place and get reminders on local and national elections at I Am A Voter. The voter turnout for the 2016 presidential election was only 61%. YOUR VOTE COUNTS.
Cher says
Proud of your research and thoughtful post. Thank you for giving the rest of us the reading material that is so important today.
Jenny says
How very powerful!! Your opening paragraph sums up each of our responsibilities in rectifying this horrible injustice that continues and continues and continues to exist in our country. Indeed, what path will each of us choose to go down….
Thank you for taking the many, many hours compiling the references ( books, etc) contained in today’s blog.
Knowledge is power… as is each vote.