“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” - Angela Y. Davis
In order to dismantle systemic racism, there needs to be understanding of the effects it has on people of color. We must listen and learn from the works of these individuals who are facing systematic oppression. It is past time that BIPOC voices be amplified. The resources are already out there, and have been for a while. If you have not done so already, it is time to start the perpetuous journey to become an anti-racist and bring these ideals to the forefront of American society. The following is a short, inexhaustive list of resources to use, people to follow, art to look at and watch, and things to read, to aid in educating people about racism.
Things to Look At:
Kenturah Davis: Study for Entanglements, 2017 and A Word to Remind You of the Future, 2019
Gerald Lovell: Tia Swint, 2019 and Kiante and Charletta, 2019
Wangari Mathenge: The Cacophony of Silence, 2019 and The Apothecaries, 2019
Jean-Michel Basquiat: God, Law, 1981 and Irony of Negro Policeman, 1981
Kara Walker: The Rich Soil Down There, 2002 and Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated): Exodus of Confederates from Atlanta, 2005
Augusta Savage: Gamin, c.1929 and Untitled (Girl with Pigtails), c.1935
Things to Read:
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Things to Watch:
When They See Us – Netflix
13th – Netflix
Dear White People – Netflix
I Am Not Your Negro – Kanopy (every Skidmore student has access to this platform)
See You Yesterday – Netflix
How to Build an Antiracist World – Youtube/Ted
Things to Listen to:
Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
Still Processing hosted by Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris
Bodega Boys: Desus Nice and The Kid Mero
The Nod with Brittany and Eric (now a show on Quibi)
People to Follow:
John Boyega: Twitter, Instagram
Janelle Monáe: Twitter, Instagram
Lizzo: Instagram
Tanya Fields/The Black Feminist Project: Twitter
Brittney Cooper: Twitter, Instagram
Deesha Dyer: Twitter, Instagram
Rachel Cargle: Twitter, Instagram
Additional Resources:
Anti-Racism Resources
Once again, this is not a comprehensive list. Anti-racism education does not end here. Skidmore is an overwhelmingly white college, and most of us have never experienced racism and never will. We are the ones that have taken part and benefitted from the deeply rooted racism in our country. White folks need to take responsibility, listen and learn, and do the research to become anti-racist individuals. It is hard. it is uncomfortable. We must do it anyway. Change starts with every individual.