Arlington Public Library has compiled a list of books, movies, podcasts, articles, and organizations where you can learn more about structural racism in the United States, how to engage with and act against anti-black racism, and what you can do to eradicate systematic racism and fight for justice in your community.
Those with the greatest privilege have the most power to make change. When you, your family, and the people around you understand how race, racism, and white privilege impact society, then you can more effectively engage in the fight against racism.
What does "Black Lives Matter" Mean?
Learn More from these Organizations
- Black Lives Matter - National Organization
- DMV Chapter of Black Lives Matter
- The Loveland Foundation - Focused on bringing mental health resources to women and girls of color
- NAACP - Focused on ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and eliminating race-based discrimination
- Color of Change - Leads campaigns against racial injustice
Learn More from these Podcasts
- 1619, via The New York Times, examines the effects of structural racism on American society, starting when the first enslaved people African arrived in 1619. Read more about The 1619 Project by The New York Times Magazine.
- Scene on Radio: Seeing White- Host and producer John Biewen takes a deep dive into questions like “Where did the notion of 'whiteness' come from?" "What does it mean?" and "What is whiteness for?", in this fourteen-part documentary series.
- Code Switch (via NPR)
- About Race
Prison Reform
Learn More
- The Bail Project - Organization that combats mass incarceration at the front end of the system, by disrupting the money bail system one person at a time.
Police Reform
Learn More from these Organizations
- Campaign Zero - Platform of research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America.
- The National Police Accountability Project - Organization dedicated to ending law enforcement abuse through legal action and educational programming
Learn More from these Articles and Podcast
- "How To Actually Fix America's Police," Atlantic Magazine, June 3, 2020 - Article
- "Running From Cops," Headlong Media- Podcast
Parent Resources
Learn More
- "Talking About Race" by The National Museum of African American History & Culture
- "Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice," Tolerance.org
- "Talking to Kids About Racism, Early and Often," New York Times, June 3, 2020
- "How to Talk to Your Children about Protests and Racism," CNN, June 2, 2020
- "How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids," Common Sense Media, May 29, 2020
- "Racism: How to discuss racism and tolerance with your kids. Try these ideas to start the conversation today," Parenting.org
- So Get Me: Alphabet Rockers- Podcast for families making change
We Recommend
Library Staff Reviews
Reading About Black Lives
Black Lives on Film
More to find online:
Lives of Black Women in America
Books for Kids & Teens
Black Lives Matter: Books to Start a Conversation
Picture Books
Books for Elementary Grade Readers
Books for Middle Grade Readers
Books for Teen Readers
Black Lives Matter: Graphic Novels
More Resources
Organizations
- Color of Change
- Movement for Black Lives
- The Advocates for Human Rights
- National Urban League
-
BlkFreedom | Juneteenth Virtual Celebration- 6 Black museums join forces to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth.
Articles
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice (via Medium)
- Why We Need to Talk About Race (via Oprah)
- “Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” (via The Atlantic)
- Bear witness, record, de-escalate: How race may affect what bystanders are called to do in cases like George Floyd's (via Yahoo)
- "The Case for Reparations" (via The Atlantic)