As we wind down towards the end of the year, we’re continuing to be inspired by some amazing voices in the BIPOC community. Education, communication, and action have to be continuous. Growth doesn’t come from a brief social uprising in response to a crisis, it comes from constant engagement. Here are some of the stories speaking to our hearts this month.
READING: THE PURPOSE OF POWER: HOW WE COME TOGETHER WHEN WE FALL APART BY ALICIA GARZA
This book from Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza has been described as a “must-read” by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Author of How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X Kendi, had this to say about it:
“‘Black lives matter’ was Alicia Garza’s love letter read around the world. The Purpose of Power is another love letter that should be read around the world. It speaks to all that molded Garza, all that molds organizers, all that molds movements.”
Her call to ignite activism in an environment that welcomes those new to the cause is a model that challenges the “rules for radicals” approach. In The Purpose of Power, she explores the ways to bring people together in the name of change.
Here’s a list of Black-owned bookstores you can purchase from.
WATCHING: SMALL AXE
This month, Amazon Prime is releasing an anthology of films set from the 1960s to the 1980s that explores the personal stories of within London’s West Indian community. Often faced with racism and discrimination, this series explores the will and force by which the people in this segment of society challenged their oppressors. Inspired by real-life events, this powerful drama showcases the challenges and triumphs among this group of people and will resonate in today’s times. Check out Small Axe this month!
LISTENING: BEING BUMO
In this parenting podcast, there are a lot of really important conversations happening around motherhood in interviews with experts and celebrities. During one particular episode in September, Chriselle Lim talks to Tia Mowry, actress, singer, writer, and producer, about how to raise antiracist kids. Her conversation about inclusion, quarantine, and BLM is one you won’t want to miss.
LEARNING: LAYLA F. SAAD
If you’ve been doing work discovering more about systematic inequality and antiracism, then you’ve likely stumbled upon Layla F. Saad’s book Me and White Supremacy. The New York Times and USA Today bestseller started out as a free Instagram workbook that became a phenomenon during its poignant 2020 release. For many, the book is only the beginning, and what Layla offers is a system of education for those understanding that this journey never ends. Her podcast, Good Ancestor Podcast, features interviews with fellow educators like Monique Melton and inspiring artists like Tony winner Sarah Jones. In her Good Ancestor Academy, she offers even more resources through her courses to those willing to listen and grow.
In the age of the digital era, ignorance is a choice, and while no one will ever gain knowledge on all necessary fronts, 2020 has woken many up to the immediate urgency of this conversation and we want to remain continuously engaged. Share your best resources in the comments!