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A Resource Guide to Antiracism & Systemic Racism (#BlackLivesMatter)

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History currently is being written right now by the biggest civil rights movement in history.

I’m sure that by now you may be aware of the many protests being made in spite of the police brutality we have been seeing lately, and how the topic of antiracism is hot on social media right now. George Floyd’s death was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and the black community is outraged and tired of having to see another innocent black person get murdered. While I am saddened that it has taken so many murders of innocent black people for us to get to this realization, I am very hopeful that we are collectively moving towards some much-needed change by now making systemic racism the focus of all of our conversations, from online, to amongst coworkers, to even at the dinner table.

I admit that while I have experienced my own racist treatment from others, as an Asian American I still possess a certain level of privilege that sometimes makes it challenging to understand the suffering that the black community faces on a daily basis. I am taking strides to be more conscious of this, “re-program” my way of thinking, and properly educate myself so that I can be a better ally for the black community.

Most of us associate the term “racism” with being discriminated against or bullied for the color of our skin or our heritage, but I as well as many others have been blind to the insidious forms of racism that negatively impact the black community – systemic racism.

I am by no means an expert on the matter, but I have been learning and understanding more and more about systemic racism and how the black community takes up the bulk of being on the receiving end of it. I have been feeling a lot of shame and guilt to have learned a lot about this and how despite being a minority, I am, for the most part, indirectly unaffected by it – and while I have the privilege to even say that, it by no means is a free pass for me to continue about my life without taking action. I can do better, and I will do better.

Dismantling racism requires a lot of conscious effort to undo the racist programming that many of us have been brainwashed by living in a colonized and westernized society. It is a daunting task in which many of us don’t know where to start, so I’ve compiled a bunch of resources below for my readers to better educate themselves on the matter. I’ve also spent the past week adding a bunch of helpful stories to my Instagram, so I recommend checking out my #BLM Highlights for more information.

This post will be continuously updated as I continue to discover more relevant articles and links. Last update: 6/19/20

Educational Articles, Posts and Videos:

Posts, Videos & Articles

Systemic Racism

Covert Racism, White Supremacy & Privilege

Resources for the Black Community

Being a Better Ally

Protest Support & Resources

Asian Allies

Police Brutality and Proposed Policies For Ending Police Violence

Documentaries, Movies & TV

  • 13th (Netflix)
  • American Son (Netflix)
  • Dear White People (Netflix)
  • When They See Us (Netflix)
  • The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix)
  • The Black Power Mixtape (Amazon)
  • I Am Not Your Negro (Amazon)
  • Let the Fire Burn (Amazon)
  • If Beale Street Could Talk (Hulu)
  • King In The Wilderness (HBO)
  • See You Yesterday (Netflix)
  • The Hate You Give (Cinemax)

Books (Check “Bookstores to Shop” Below)

  • “Me and White Supremacy” – Layla F. Saad
  • “Why I No Longer Talk to White People About Race” – Reni Eddo-Lodge
  • “Stamped”  – Ibram X. Kendi (this is a rework of “Stamped From the Beginning” and is shorter, more concise and easier to read)
  • “How to Be an Antiracist” – Ibram X. Kendi
  • “White Fragility” – Robin Diangelo
  • “The New Jim Crow” – Michelle Alexander
  • “The Color of Law” – Richard Rothstein
  • “So You Want to Talk About Race” – Ijeoma Oluo
  • “This Book Is Anti-Racist” – Tiffany Jewell
  • “Born a Crime” – Trevor Noah
  • Children’s Books –
    • “A Kid’s Book About Racism” – Jelani Memory
    • “Mixed: A Colorful Story” – Arree Chung
    • “Don’t Touch My Hair!” – Sharee Miller
    • “I Am Mixed “ – Garcelle Beauvals
    • “Chocolate Me!” – Taye Diggs
    • “We’re Different, We’re the Same, And We’re All Wonderful” – Sesame Street
    • “All Are Welcome” – Alexandra Penfold
    • “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” – Vashti Harrison

How to Help:

Donate:

Sign Petitions

Send Emails

People to Follow

Activists

Black Communities & Learning Resources

Therapists & Coaches

Spiritual Leaders

Writers

Artists

Money & Personal Finance

Food

Home Improvements & Interior Designers

Influencers

Black-Owned Businesses to Support:

Local Black-Owned Businesses and Restaurants

Bookstores

Beauty

Clothing & Apparel

Home

As an Asian American, I pledge to continue educating myself on the matter so that I can be better informed and better empathize with my black family and friends as well as the entire community. Asians have a long history of fighting alongside black during the civil rights movements, and so it would be wrong for me to ignore this. Black people deserve to be heard – they have been fighting this fight for 400 years.

To my black readers, I am sorry that it took so long for the rest of us to understand. But we are here now, and we are learning and listening. You will be heard. Justice will be served. And you will be liberated.

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1 Comment

  1. Gina Checchia
    / 12:28 pm

    Beautifully written post! Thank you so much for giving all of these resources and for taking the time to make a post on something as important as this. It’s very educational, informative, and necessary! I will be sharing some of these resources with others.

    XoXo,
    Gina Checchia
    https://www.a-girl-in-la.com/

    Reply

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