5 Good Books on AntiRacism by Black Authors
Excerpt from AntiRacist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illustration by Ashley Lukashevsky
If social media has influenced anything in our core values in relation to Black Lives Matters, it’s that each one of us needs to change now. How we do that is to read, learn, discuss, ask hard, uncomfortable questions, think up answers and find a way to include yourself in the conversation. Everyone can start with a book, including young kids whose future depends on their personal view of race relations once they start school.
It’s not about relaunching the Black Lives Matters movement, it is legitimately committing to it now and for the years to come.
THE FIRE NEXT TIME *
JAMES BALDWIN
The 1963 non-fiction book of essays became a national bestseller during the year of the historic March on Washington. Baldwin in his masterful craft explores religion and racial injustice in mid-century America.
THE NEW JIM CROW: MASS INCARCERATION IN THE AGE OF COLORBLINDNESS * MICHELLE ALEXANDER
Published in 2012, the book challenges the idea that Barack Obama’s election signaled in a new era of colorblindness. Law professor and author Michelle Alexander argues that "we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it." Thus, "mass incarceration is, metaphorically, the New Jim Crow"
HOOD FEMINISM: NOTES FROM THE WOMEN THAT A MOVEMENT FORGOT * MIKKI KENDALL
For the millennial feminist, for the Gen Z feminist, call it what you will, but this book is for all black feminist women. Debut author Mikki Kendall dives into to how mainstream feminists fail to discuss basic needs such as education, safe neighborhoods, medical care and living wages.
SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE * IJEOMA OLUO
Author Ijeama Oluo discusses the contemporary landscape in America from the Black Lives Matter movement, police brutality, white privilege, intersectionality, micro-agressions and even the cultural use of the N word. A New York Times Bestseller, Oluo offers straightforward thinking, but still remains “user friendly” with the exploration of America’s overall racial injustices.
ANTIRACIST BABY * IBRAM X. KENDI
From the National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist, a children’s book that empowers parents and children to be aware of racism in society and themselves. If your plans are to raise a “woke” child, then start here.
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