Weekend Review: An Anti Racism Reading List

I've been pretty quiet over here at the blog this week; with everything going on in the US in particular, posting as usual didn't feel like the thing to do. I've been spending most of my time on Instagram, watching and listening, and thought I'd share some resources for self-education on racism and becoming an active anti-racist in my usual Sunday book review slot this week.

There have been many people and organizations sharing recommended resources this week. Here are a few that I've noted, and will be starting to tackle one by one.

Ibram X. Kendi is frequently cited; it's his book How To Be an Anti Racist that is often quoted. The Chicago Public Library has a lengthy booklist of 61 anti racist titles that all sound like required reading.

Layla F. Saad is the author of Me & White Supremacy, a must read for all white readers. She recommends a few more titles to explore over at The Guardian.

Here in Canada there are also racial issues to confront. The Fold Literary Festival has shared some important Canadian titles on their social media, both nonfiction and some fiction that illuminates the BIPOC experience as well.

Coursera has curated a list of classes you can take, all dealing with anti-racist themes. These are all free classes. And over at Fortune mag, of all places, there is a compilation of resources from books to articles to podcasts to Instagram accounts to follow for more self-learning.

LeadNow.ca is an advocacy non-profit based in Canada, and they've been actively creating a page of resources aimed at Canadians in particular -- there are many relevant books and online articles shared, as well as organizations to support. They're also hosting an Online Teach In on June 11 that you can sign up to attend, which will talk about anti racism, climate justice and a just Covid recovery, all issues that they advocate for.

And the document of Anti-Racist Resources for White People just compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein is lengthy and wide-ranging -- another good source for reading and learning.

I'd encourage you not to buy any of these books on Amazon if possible. Support your local black owned bookstores by checking there first. Here in Ontario you can find relevant bookstores by searching the business directory on ByBlacks.com -- there are 12 listings currently. Or check AfroBiz.ca for your local area. Google black owned business in your region for potential shops to buy from if you are not Canadian.

This is one way I am going to start working actively in my own life. And I'll continue listening.