Student Life

4 Ways to Educate Yourself on Racism and Anti-Racism

4 Ways to Educate Yourself on Racism and Anti-Racism 
As many of us try to educate ourselves on issues of systemic racism you might be trying to understand how to begin. 

There are many worthwhile resources that you can use to first educate yourself on these issues to better understand the challenges faced by people of colour. 

The need for education on this matter is critical. Below, you will find a few helpful resources that you can use to begin to better educate yourself on anti-racism and race issues that impact black Americans and people of colour. 

1. Read Books & Articles
One important way to learn about antiracism is through reading. A few books recommended by black professors and scholars are 'So You Want to Talk About Race' by Ijeoma Oluo, 'The New Jim Crow' by Michelle Alexander, and 'White Fragility' by Robin Diangelo. 

If articles are more your speed, there are some amazing resources to direct your learning. Check out this daily reading list curated by Amy Sanchez.

2. Listen to Podcasts
You can listen to podcasts while working, exercising, or commuting. NPR has curated a collection of podcasts about racism. We recommend "Why the Coronavirus is Hitting Black Communities the Hardest" and "Dismantling White Fragility". 

We also recommend listening to this podcast "Why Ta-Nehisi Coates is Hopeful" on The Ezra Klein Show. The author of "Between the World and Me", Ta-Nehisi Coates discusses how this movement differs from 1968 and why he's hopeful. 

3. Watch TV & Movies
Streaming sites such as Netflix have an array of movies and TV shows available. Netflix has curated a collection of 'Black Lives Matter' content titled 'More Than a Moment' which includes titles like 'Dear White People' and '13th'.  

We highly recommend the movie 13th. This documentary explores the history of racial inequality in the United States with a focus on the disproportion of African Americans in the American Prison System. 

In addition to this, Cineplex is offering a curated collection of movies by black filmmakers for free. Some of the titles include 'Get Out', 'Moonlight', 'Malcolm X', and 'Selma'. 

4. Follow Black Creators
Open Instagram, TikTok, or Youtube and you will find many inspiring people sharing their personal stories and experiences with racism. These creators are donating their time to share resources and stories, and it's important for those of us looking to educate ourselves to listen. 

If you see something that resonates with you, share it with a friend or family member. Here are a few activists we suggest you follow on Instagram: @theslacktivists, @chnge, @blklivesmatter, and author @laylafsaad. 