Black Lives Matter: Resources To Continue Educating Yourself
We’re just halfway through one of the most pivotal years in recent history and we’ve quickly realized that we’re living through times that will undoubtedly be learned in classrooms. It's an understatement to say much has happened in the past 6 months, with little to no downtime from what feels like the moment the clock struck midnight on January 1st. With groundbreaking news coming at us from every direction, there is one headline that deserves and demands our long overdue time and attention—BLACK LIVES MATTER.
In the past, “Black Lives Matter” has been a phrase that gained momentary attention and then faded into the background with the next news cycle. Now though, it sits in its very rightful place—at the forefront of everyone’s minds—as not only a statement filled with power, passion, and pain echoing around the world, but also as a beautiful movement sweeping the United States and far beyond. The Black Lives Matter movement has given a desperately-needed wake up call to the entire country, and we think 400 years of Black oppression is more than enough don’t you?
With such a movement as “Black Lives Matter”, it is unexplainably important now more than ever to educate yourself on not only the WHAT but even more so the WHY—what exactly is the movement for and why is it happening? What’s been going on (in our country, in our homes, in police departments, prisons, and between humankind) and why are people so upset? We believe it's our responsibility as white women to do the work and educate ourselves by actively seeking the answers to these questions so that we can not only ensure we aren't racist, but become anti-racists and powerful allies for the Black community. This is why we’ve gathered a few of our favorite resources to listen, learn, and educate ourselves on systemic racism, social injustice, and our white privilege—all of which we’ve been experiencing for far too long.
And one more thing, just to be clear—this opportunity to educate ourselves is not about simply going through the motions so we can feel better about ourselves. It’s about little by little opening every last set of eyes and breaking the cycle of racism in our society so the Black community can finally live their lives as they’ve always deserved to live them—empowered, valued, and safe.
In addition to diving into the below resources, MMK Creative has donated to Black Lives Matter, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Color of Change. If able, we encourage you to find an organization that resonates with you and do the same.
MOVIES
The Hate U Give | Hulu
If Beale Street Could Talk | Hulu
13th | Netflix
American Son | Netflix
Just Mercy | Prime Video
TV Shows/Series
Dear White People | Netflix
When They See Us | Netflix
Seven Seconds | Netflix
Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story | Prime Video
Instagram Accounts
@themanacho - “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” IGTV Series
@theconsciouskid - Parenting and education through a Critical Race Lens.
Books
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Support Black business and opt to purchase from Black-owned bookstores.
FICTION
The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
PODCASTS
1619 - We particularly loved Episode 3 which explores the birth of American Music with Wesley Morris.
PLAYLIST
Meghan made a special version of her signature playlists highlighting some incredibly talented Black artists.
Click below to listen.
Keep in mind—this handful of resources are just the beginning, not even scratching the surface of the education and work that needs to be done in our country to invoke real and sustainable change. Here is a consolidated list of black-owned business to be aware of and to support. Mostly, we whole-heartedly encourage you to keep digging—get uncomfortable, use your privilege for good, sign petitions, unlearn your bias, speak up, VOTE. We’re prepared to continue doing the work and we hope you are too.