As a white woman who enjoys a multitude of privileges, but who strives to be a part of a wider circle for social justice in this nation and beyond, I have a duty to educate myself about what this means for me. For the purposes of education, I have put together a little guide to help white friends who are interested in learning more about racism and particularly how they can come to more enlightened understandings of this complex issue.
The Difference Between Cultural Exchange and Cultural Appropriation helps white people understand the theory and nuances behind cultural appropriation, an often highly misunderstood concept among white identifying people. Cultural appropriation is a real issue that deserves careful study and attention.
4 Ways White People Can Process Their Emotions Without Bringing White Tears is extremely important to white people doing anti-racist work. This is hard and grueling work for all people involved, and because of the emotional intensity, those entering it can find themselves overwhelmed. However, there are ways that white people through how they conduct themselves in these operations, can perpetuate they very systems they are trying to fight. This article will help you process your emotions in a healthy constructive way which won't re-victimize the PoC you are trying to stand in solidarity with. Especially helpful for those struggling with "White Guilt.
6 Ways Well Intentioned People Whitesplain Racism (And Why They Need to Stop) is great for understanding how some of the language you use can be harmful to people of color. Just a general list of how you should approach these conversations.
White Like Me with Tim Wise is a documentary that is a great introduction to this sort of influence. Tim is frank with the audience about his own struggles against white supremacy, and has been honest in how he himself has perpetrated such oppression. It's a great, easy watch and helps for a basis to these complex ideas.
Accomplices Not Allies takes on a critique of the current model of allyship and helps push the boundaries of what is an acceptable ally. Important for those who already consider themselves allies and want to push the boundaries more.
You can't ignore racism and raise anti-racist children. You have to tackle it head-on is a great read for explaining how to raise children (especially white children) in a way that is conscious of and tackles the issues of racism in today's day and age.
Dear White America is an open and frank letter asking white people to reexamine their place in the oppression of PoC in America.
UnderstandingPrejudice also has a great website for this sort of information, including this great article debunking myths that affirmative action has unfairly oppressed white people in admissions.
For Christians interested in a religious approach to racism and solidarity, I recommend Black Power and Black Theology by James H. Cone, as well as anything else by the author. Also, Whiteness and Christology edited by George Yancy is also recommended.
I also highly recommend Dismantling Privilege: An Ethics of Accountability by Mary Elizabeth Hobgood.
Also, literally anything written by bell hooks is a surefire way to learn valuable lessons about these important issues.
Last of all, I highly suggest 7 Ways to Radically Love Yourself in 2016, because radical self-love is also part of the struggle.
Alternative news sources that will give you narratives that are sensitive to these issues, and which I highly suggest include the following:
Democracy Now!
Dollars & Sense
Free Inquiry
In These Times
Boston Review
Contingencies
I would like to dedicate this article to Clelia Rodrìguez, my travelling professor for the IHP study abroad trip, as well as my class from this time, all of whom helped introduce me to much of this material and become aware of these important issues.
I hope that this article has helped someone on their path of (un)learning. We ALL have a long way to go, including myself. I want to keep learning and growing. If anyone else has suggestions on articles/media that helps, I'd love for you to share them with me so that I can keep growing as a person too.
Note: this article deals mainly with resources on racism, but there are many more dimensions of oppression not mentioned in this article, and is not meant to disclude them, only that this article is not meant to tackle these particular issues.
