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Today, as a nation, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A gifted scholar, preacher, philosopher and civil rights leader, Dr. King was assassinated at the young age of 39.
In honor of his life, and in wake of the racial climate in our country, I've compiled a list of resources that the And She Writes community can explore on the topics of race, racism, racial justice and the Black American experience. Many of these resources I have read, watched or follow on social media. Others are on my to do list.
There are several Black female voices I enjoy following on Instagram. They are educating their online communities and doing incredible work in different areas -- education, politics, community organizing and social work.
Bernice King (Dr. King's daughter)
Books/Film:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - a powerful fictional book for tweens, teens and adults about race relations. In the book a police officer kills an unarmed black young man. It was adapted into a movie.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi - I haven't yet read this one, but it's on my 2021 list. It's about structural racism -- Kendi argues that there is a difference between being against racism and being actively antiracist.
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo - a through, well-researched and supported book for a white audience to understand the history, socialization and psychology regarding race and racism in America.
Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson - this one is also on my 2021 book list. It's described as an exploration of structural racism as an unrecognized caste system in order to maintain social order.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry - this sweet and reaffirming children's picture book features a black father-daughter relationship about styling the young girl's hair. Its themes are self-confidence, self-love and honoring the Black experience.
Just Mercy: The Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson-- I recently began this book and I'm definitely engaged. It's about a young lawyer's "idealistic" coming of age account and his "compassion in the pursuit of true justice." This was adapted into a movie.
13th by Netflix -- this documentary details the lead up to the present day mass incarceration of African-Americans after the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. It features several different voices and interviews detailing the prison boom in the United States. It's thought-provoking, chilling and worth your time.
We hope you will explore these resources and we'd love to know your thoughts if you have already read or watched any of these books or films!
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