The Link Up: Anti-Racism Resources, Content To Diversify Your Feed, & More Ways To Support The Black Community Right Now

design by brigette romanek | via romanek design studio

Today marks the end of a month that has been painful and traumatizing, yet sadly not an anomaly for so many people. Yesterday we shared a few resources and ideas for anyone who needed some starting points to either begin or further their anti-racism education (including ourselves). It wasn’t a perfect post, and there were moments where we fell short. We might fall short again today, but we have to keep trying.

First, we’d like to thank everyone who used their time to share their feedback and perspectives with us. We can imagine that even on the best of days, finding the energy to engage with and educate someone can be draining. These have not been the best of days.

Secondly, we wanted to take today to share more – More resources we’ve been directed to, more ways we’ve researched to support the Black community, and more of the information that was generously shared with us in yesterday’s comments. Let’s get into it.

One way we can begin to possibly better understand the perspectives of Black Americans is to watch, read, and listen to the content they are already creating. In this way we are able to avoid putting the burden of our own anti-racism education back on them, while also supporting them as journalists, authors, filmmakers, and artists.

PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO, A DOCUMENTARY TO WATCH, AND BOOKS TO READ

Pod Save The People is an award-winning podcast hosted by activist DeRay Mckesson in addition to Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Sam Sinyangwe, and writer Dr. Clint Smith. They cover everything from the news, culture, social, and political issues and specifically how they affect people of color.

From our reader Kristy: “Here’s a recommendation for another podcast: NPR’s Code Switch. All of the episodes talk about race, but one of their most powerful discusses race and friendships. It was so moving and powerful, and spawned a great discussion between myself and friends, who all could relate.”

Sooo Many White Guys is a podcast hosted by Comedian, Actress, and Author Phoebe Robinson that Jess really loves. There are 4 seasons of incredible dialogue on topics of racism, tokenism, and everything in between with humor beautifully woven in.

If you haven’t seen the Ava DuVernay directed documentary “13th” on Netflix, consider watching it. It explores the prison system in America which, because of the 13th Amendment, is the only legal form of slavery. The documentary examines how this Constitutional Amendment was exploited by incarcerating (and re-incarcerating) the Black community, and how the prison system then became a billion-dollar industry.

This is an amazing list of anti-racism resources, and here are even more books to read.

Yesterday reader Michelle, recommended this children’s book for kids ages 5-9: A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory

MORE CREATORS & BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT

If you’re in the market for a new piece of art, this beautiful print by Cleo Wade serves as a reminder that thoughts and actions always start at home. The full proceeds of each sale will go to The Antiracist Research & Policy Center.

ShoppeBlack not only has endless resources for all of us to discover black-owned businesses, but here is a list of bookstores you can purchase online when you’re ready to order some of the books from the lists that have been linked up above.

Goodee, owned by twin brothers, Byron and Dexter Peart, have created an incredible store that only carries products from designers that are making a strong social or environmental impact.

Sara has been on the delicate jewelry hunt recently, and just purchased this perfect single initial earring from Etsy shop Nolita Diamonds. If you’re looking for something beautiful, take a peek at all the different pieces this shop has.

IF YOU CAN, DONATE

Consider donating somewhere in lieu of exchanging money for something in return. Many of us reading (and writing) this post have some unearned resources at our disposal. Our government and institutions will not redistribute them. But we can, and we should. This article published on The Cut has a long list of places where donations can be made.

ALGORITHM DIVERSITY

A quick note before jumping into this section – Much of the content created by the activists, authors, content creators, and educators that are linked in this section is free (like a podcasts or the information someone might share on their social media account)! But we – the EHD team – know first hand how much work it takes to create high quality content you are proud of. As always, if you’re able, consider financially supporting these creators by buying their books, online lectures/classes, purchasing their services, or supporting them via a patron style monthly payment or one-time payment. This is a reminder to ourselves as well!

One account to follow on Instagram is that of Ericka Hart (@ihartericka) a sex educator, model, writer, and racial/social/gender justice disruptor. She shares her perspectives on being black in America alongside important information about racism, sexism, and a myriad of other important topics. She also has two online Racial and Social Justice classes that you can purchase, a podcast you can listen to, and an extensive list of books to read in this highlight on her stories.

Yesterday, reader Danielle put together and shared this incredible list of Black creators, designers, shows, and movies for us all to support and enjoy. We want to be clear that we did not create this list, and truly appreciate the time, effort, and generosity on Danielle’s part. We hope that by sharing it again here, more people can use it as a resource.

From Danielle: “Change your algorithm on streaming platforms with Black entertainment movies, shows, and documentaries. This supports Black artists, Black tastemakers, and Black businesses. While also making you laugh, smile, learn, and binge watch Black lives in all complexities and layers. If you search for some and even add a few to your watchlist your algorithm will change and you will see whole swaths of Black entertainment that never popped up for you before.”

FAMILY CONTENT

Fro Babies – Family LoveBlack Fathers – Family Love

DESIGN CONTENT

Carmeon Hamilton – Interiors Gail Davis  – Interiors 54kibo – Design Decor Coco Cozy – Lifestyle & Home Decor Brown Bohemians – Lifestyle, Fashion, & Decor Shavonda Gardner – Interiors Justina Blakeney – Interiors Studio Mucci – Artist, & Decor Influencer Yaël & Valérie Fabrics – Home Decor Textiles

ART

Fabiola Jean-Louis – Artist Painter Benny Bing – Artist Tilly The Artist – Artist Surrealist Kayla Mahaffey – Artist Surrealist Nick Davis – Artist Painter Lina Iris Viktor – Artist Painter Andre Woolery – Artist Painter Harmonia – Artist Painter Kervin Andre – Artist Painter Afroscope – Artist Surrealist Terry Joshua – Artist Painter Tawny Chatmon – Artist Painter

COOKING CONTENT

Tabitha Brown – Black Vegan Cooking Angela Davis – Black Cooking Darius Williams – Black Southern Cooking Shea Butter Village – Beauty and Wellness

CONTENT CREATORS

Janelle Marie Lloyd – Fashion Influencer Onyi Moss – Lifestyle Editorial Vanessa Oblinsky – Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger Jackie Aina – Beauty Influencer Signed, Blake – Attorney & Content Creator Aurora James – Fashion Designer & Influencer Lee Litumbe – Travel Influencer Beauty & The Blog – Beauty, Fashion, & Lifestyle Highlowluxxe – Style Expert Prissysavvy – Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger Chichiromeoandme – Kids Fashion Guru

CULTURE CONTENT

Pubby Longway – Black Culture ComedyBecause of Them We Can – Black CulturePush Black – Black CultureBlack Thought – Black CultureJennah Brittany – Black Culture Situational HumorFashion Bomb Daily – Black CultureThe Shade Room Teens – Black CultureBaller Alert – Black CultureDaquan – Black Culture ComedyBleacher Report – Black Sports Culture

INDUSTRY CONTENT

Zuri Hall – Emmy-Winning TV HostBozoma Saint John – LeaderElaine Welteroth – Black Fashion LeaderCRWNMAG – Black Beauty PublicationSam Fine – Beauty GuruJason Bolden – Fashion GuruCandice Marie – Influencer

CLUBS

Black Bloggers Club – Compendium of Black InfluencersBlack Interior Designers Network – Compendium of Black InfluencersBlack Girls Who Blog – Compendium of Black Influencers

TV – DRAMAS

Queen Sugar The Wire Scandal Bold Type Snow Fall All American Dear White People Sex Education Black Lightning The Good Fight

TV – ROMANCE

Four Weddings And A Funeral High Fidelity

TV – COMEDY

Family ReunionAtlantaBlackishBlack AFGrownish

TV – DOCUMENTARY

Trigger Warning With Killer Mike – DocumentaryMarching Orders – Sports DocumentaryStyling Hollywood- Reality TVRhythm and Flow – Music ShowHip Hop Evolution – Music DocumentaryQuincy – Music DocumentaryBlack God Father – Music / Hollywood Documentary

TV – INTERNATIONAL

Blood & Water – African TV ShowShadow – African TV ShowQueen Sono – African TV Show

MOVIES – HORROR

Get OutUs

MOVIES – DRAMA WITTY / COMEDY

BlackKlansmenDopeThe Last Blackman of San FranciscoGirls TripDolomite Is My Name

MOVIES – SPORTS

High Flying BirdCreedFirst Match

MOVIES – SCI-FI

Raising DionFast ColorSee You Yesterday Spider Man Into the Spider Verse Black Panther

MOVIES – ROMANCE

LovingBelleBeyond the LightsBeen So LongLovebirdsIf Beale Street Could TalkQueen & Slim

MOVIES – DRAMA

Sorry To Bother You Jinn (the movie with Zoe Renee)

MOVIES – DOCUMENTARIES

Becoming – Michelle Obama Personal DocumentaryHomecoming – Beyoncé Music DocumentaryGrace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami – Music DocumentaryAmazing Grace – Aretha Franklin Music DocumentarySerena – Personal DocumentarySavage Fenty – Fashion Documentary

Reader, Herselfindublin also left a comment on yesterday’s post about how our platform algorithms shape our world views, along with more suggestions: “I’d just to add two things. A lot of streaming services and things like Instagram use powerful algorithms that track your choices and recommend new stuff based on them. So if you’re white you’re almost definitely being recommended mostly, if not exclusively, white content. But it’s really easy to hack this, and have the algorithm adapt to make more varied suggestions.

On Instagram try and find Instagrammers who are not white. You don’t even have to change the types of accounts you follow – I pretty much exclusively follow design accounts and can recommend @designaddictmom, @iamkristabel, @malcolmsimmons, and @aphrochic for starters. Also look for and pass along recommendations of other POC on these platforms.

And on Netflix etc., just search for a show or film you know to have a predominantly black cast – it doesn’t have to be “heavy” or “educational”, you can search for “Blackish” or “Black Panther”, add them to your favorites and the algorithm will then suggest more.

This is also incredibly important because it tells the content creators that white people have no problem watching POC in films and TV programs, and that will in turn make projects by POC more likely to get commissioned, and to be commissioned in a variety of genres. A film I really enjoyed recently that has a predominantly black cast is “Uncorked” about a man expected to take over his family’s barbecue rib business but who has dreams of becoming a barista. It’s on Netflix, so if you haven’t heard of it yet then search for it and start changing your algorithm.”

To both Danielle & Herselfindublin’s recommendations we’d like to add a few more from ourselves and other comments from yesterday’s post: Author Ijeoma Oluo, author Layla F Saad, actress Indya Moore, actor & comedian DJ (also known as Shangela), writer Kendriana Washington, actress Mj Rodriguez, designer Kelly Finely, designer Ariene Bethea, designer Veronica Solomon, Geeky Glamohemian, interior design enthusiast Miki Carter, designer Kelly R. Collier, furniture designer Nicole Crowder, and Pinterest coach and designer Christina Willis.

If you are not Black, and choose to follow any of these suggested accounts, please do so respectfully. Start by listening. Spend more time listening. And then listen some more – something we are continually striving to do better at ourselves.

A FEW MORE NOTES . . . .

Let’s not forget that while George Floyd’s murderer has been charged (though the other officers have not), Breonna Taylor’s killers haven’t. She deserves the same support and justice. Click here to sign the petition and make phone calls to support this fight. Thank you to our reader Anne who gave us this link. While these specific cases have been brought to media attention, there are hundreds of other horrific incidents just like these that don’t make it to our newsfeeds or timelines because there isn’t video or photo evidence. These are not isolated or rare events.

One very important way white allies can support the anti-racism movement is by showing up to protests and marches. This instagram post by Jen Winston does a good job of explaining why. If you are able to attend a march or protest, checking to see if your local Black Lives Matter chapter has any organized plans could be a good place to start. You can search for a local chapter here.

Lastly, reader Jessica shared this article titled “5 Racist Anti-Racism Responses “Good” White Women Give to Viral Posts“. It’s an article written for White women by a White woman. It’s a good read, and gave us a lot of moments of self-reflection. Especially after yesterday’s post.

That’s it (for now). Thank you to everyone who commented on yesterday’s post and shared their perspectives, knowledge, and resources. And thank you in advance to everyone who will continue to share today, while also respecting that some people may be too drained, overwhelmed, and tired to share anymore. To those people we say, your voice and story are important and we are ready to continue listening if ever you are ready to share again.

Opener Image Credit: Design by Brigette Romanek | via Romanek Design Studio

The post The Link Up: Anti-Racism Resources, Content To Diversify Your Feed, & More Ways To Support The Black Community Right Now appeared first on Emily Henderson.