this was a good week (resources for being anti-racist)
This was a good week, if only for the following:
Two days ago, I shared why it was a good week in our house, which means that today, I can focus on sharing some links that can help you live a more anti-racist life. Please enjoy the following works by amazing people and organizations of all races, creeds, faiths and nationalities — follow and explore as needed — to help you live a more inclusive life, spark some self-reflection on how you can be an ally (and how you might be a part of the problem) and finally, inspire you to make light:
• Good Talk, Thanks is the Instagram account that my dear friend, author Mira Jacob, put together for her recent book, Good Talk. I can’t tell you how many copies of this book I’ve bought and given away — literally, because I’ve lost count. This book is revolutionary, and Mira, who is of South Asian descent, married to a white Jewish man, and parent to a biracial and bicultural son, touches on racism, sexism, intersectional feminism, immigration, interracial and intercultural relationships, privilege and so much more. I cannot possibly recommend this book enough. Follow the Instagram feed and do yourself a favour and buy the book. It’s amazing.
• Another great book: I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness is a wonderful memoir by author Austin Channing Brown, telling her personal story of what it is like to navigate America as a black woman. A personal favourite, and a wonderful read. (Austin is also the creator and cohost of the podcast The Next Question, all about racial justice — and their first season had some incredible guests, including my dear friend Brené Brown.)
• NPR’s podcast, Code Switch, is always an incredible education. Subscribe immediately.
• My friend Pam Mandel, who is Jewish, pointed me to Bend the Arc, “a movement of tens of thousands of progressive Jews all across the country,” who stand with communities under attack, and hold elected officials accountable. “Here’s my tribe,” she said to me.
• Another Instagram feed to follow: Houston Coalition Against Hate shares all sorts of resources to fight discrimination in all forms, not just in Houston, but around the world (full disclosure: I’m on their board of directors).
• More great Instagram feeds to follow: Muslim Girl, Colorlines News & Media, RAICES.
• Don’t miss the Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, “is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States.” They are the oldest and largest civil rights coalition in the United States, and you can also follow them on Instagram here.
• Ava Duvernay’s feature documentary 13th, on Netflix, but also available for free viewing here on YouTube. This film is about the 13th Amendment of the United States of America, which prohibits slavery “except as punishment for a crime.” It explores how that loophole has been exploited in the United States, resulting in its shocking incarceration rate (and provides context for some of the police brutality we witness even today). Marcus and I watched this in silence when it first came out, and every once in a while, we’d turn and stare at each other, mouths agape. It is mandatory watching to understand the justice system in the United States.
• A Sikh Prayer for America, by activist Valarie Kaur, who is the founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. This beautiful prayer shows how despite anger at injustice, bigotry and profound violence, it is possible to move forward — decisively — using the power of love. (The entire prayer is only 6 minutes long — if you do nothing else after reading this post, at the very least watch this.) Valarie does incredible work (and incidentally, I received an advance copy of her book, See No Stranger — it’s wonderful, and available for preorder now).
• And finally, today’s soundtrack: this beautiful, haunting song by 12-year-old singing prodigy, Keedron Bryant. Click here or the image below to listen:
