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Confronting Racism: Books, Films and More Resources

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.

No Justice, No Peace: Sign on the ground with flowers around it

Black Lives Matter

Parenting

We Recommend

Kids & Teens

More Resources

What does "Black Lives Matter" Mean?

Antiracist

How to Be an Antiracist

Between the World and Me

Between the World and Me

Me and White Supremacy

Me and White Supremacy

The Fire This Time

The Fire This Time

Tears We Cannot Stop

Tears We Cannot Stop

Blindspot

Blindspot

They Cant Kill Us All

They Can't Kill Us All

Stamped From The Beginning

Stamped From The Beginning

You Cant Touch My Hair

You Can't Touch My Hair

Freedom is a Constant Struggle

Freedom is a Constant Struggle

Find more "Black Lives Matter" books in the Library Catalog

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

The New Jim Crow

The New Jim Crow

Blood In the Water

Blood in the Water

Locked Up Our Own

Locked Up Our Own

Just Mercy

Just Mercy

Understanding Mass Incarceration

Understanding Mass Incarceration

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

The Black and the Blue

The Black and the Blue

Chokehold

Chokehold: Policing Black Men

Invisible No More

Invisible No More

Black and Blue

Black and Blue: Inside the Divide Between Police and Black America

The End of Policing

The End of Policing

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
Parenting

Parent Resources

For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood

For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood

White Kids

White Kids: Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America

It's Time to Talk

It's Time to Talk (And Listen)

So You Want to Talk About Race

So You Want to Talk about Race

White Fragility

White Fragility

Why are all the Black Kids

Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria

STamped

Stamped

Tell Me WHo You Are

Tell Me Who You Are

Lets talk About Race

Let's Talk about Race

Raising White Kids

Raising White Kids

Find more "Parent Resource" books in the Library Catalog

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

We Recommend

Library Staff Reviews

“The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander

Alexander highlights the undeniable similarities of our current justice system to the Jim Crow era. Armed with facts, Alexander argues mass incarceration has created a caste system within the United States; a system designed to treat poor people and people of color as second-class citizens.

Janelle

Arlington Public Library
2020-08-13T15:05:44-04:00

Janelle

Alexander highlights the undeniable similarities of our current justice system to the Jim Crow era. Armed with facts, Alexander argues mass incarceration has created a caste system within the United States; a system designed to treat poor people and people of color as second-class citizens.
https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/the-new-jim-crow-mass-incarceration-in-the-age-of-colorblindness-by-michelle-alexander/

“Clean Getaway” by Nic Stone

What would you do if your big spring break trip got canceled and your suitcase was already packed? Maybe take an impromptu trip with Grandma! Scoob’s grandma has always been a little unusual, but this trip might be even stranger than usual. A whirlwind adventure about family and segregation history in the South starts here. This book blends secrets and family memories with learning about how American history has changed our lives today. Buckle up and don’t tell Dad- Grandma’s on a roll!

Hannah

Arlington Public Library
2020-08-13T15:07:16-04:00

Hannah

What would you do if your big spring break trip got canceled and your suitcase was already packed? Maybe take an impromptu trip with Grandma! Scoob’s grandma has always been a little unusual, but this trip might be even stranger than usual. A whirlwind adventure about family and segregation history in the South starts here. This book blends secrets and family memories with learning about how American history has changed our lives today. Buckle up and don’t tell Dad- Grandma’s on a roll!
https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/clean-getaway-by-nic-stone/

“Tyler Johnson Was Here” by Jay Coles

17-year-old twin brothers Tyler and Marvin are in their senior year, but when Tyler is shot and killed in an unprovoked altercation with a police officer, Marvin has to face the fallout alone. Balancing his grief-ridden mother, the social media explosion, and advocating to clear his brother’s name, Marvin’s life is upended by the events of that night. For readers who valued The Hate U Give, All American Boys, and Dear Martin.

Hannah

Arlington Public Library
2020-08-13T15:09:19-04:00

Hannah

17-year-old twin brothers Tyler and Marvin are in their senior year, but when Tyler is shot and killed in an unprovoked altercation with a police officer, Marvin has to face the fallout alone. Balancing his grief-ridden mother, the social media explosion, and advocating to clear his brother’s name, Marvin’s life is upended by the events of that night. For readers who valued The Hate U Give, All American Boys, and Dear Martin.
https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/tyler-johnson-was-here-by-jay-coles/

“Black Girl Unlimited” by Echo Brown

A debut novel that is heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, this is the story of Echo Brown, a young wizard growing up in the East Side of Cleveland. As she grows in her powers, she opens new portals of opportunity for her life – transferring to a rich school on the West Side, being mentored by one of her teachers, and getting a new best friend. Echo straddles living in between these two worlds as she battles the dark veils of pain that flows in everyone around her.  This novel weaves together heavy topics of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism through a magical lens that leaves you breathless.

Brittany H.

Arlington Public Library
2020-08-13T15:13:18-04:00

Brittany H.

A debut novel that is heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, this is the story of Echo Brown, a young wizard growing up in the East Side of Cleveland. As she grows in her powers, she opens new portals of opportunity for her life – transferring to a rich school on the West Side, being mentored by one of her teachers, and getting a new best friend. Echo straddles living in between these two worlds as she battles the dark veils of pain that flows in everyone around her.  This novel weaves together heavy topics of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism through a magical lens that leaves you breathless.
https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/black-girl-unlimited-by-echo-brown/

“The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin

It’s telling when a classic written about racial inequality in American more than 50 years ago can still be prevalent. This short essay provides examples of what it was like to live as a Black man in the civil rights era, how to evolve our way of thinking less of someone, and what Americans need to do to achieve lasting change. It is a warning and it is about hope. If you have yet to read the amazing work of James Baldwin, this is a great book to start.

Brittany A.

Arlington Public Library
2020-08-13T15:18:38-04:00

Brittany A.

It’s telling when a classic written about racial inequality in American more than 50 years ago can still be prevalent. This short essay provides examples of what it was like to live as a Black man in the civil rights era, how to evolve our way of thinking less of someone, and what Americans need to do to achieve lasting change. It is a warning and it is about hope. If you have yet to read the amazing work of James Baldwin, this is a great book to start.
https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/the-fire-next-time-by-james-baldwin/

“All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Told from the perspective of a black teen getting beaten by a white cop and a white teen witness to the beating, Rashad and Quinn bring to light the prejudice and racism present in even the smallest things a black person does. Both voices - excellently written - will keep readers riveted and will open the eyes of teens living a privileged life.

Ruth C.

Arlington Public Library
2020-08-13T15:19:42-04:00

Ruth C.

Told from the perspective of a black teen getting beaten by a white cop and a white teen witness to the beating, Rashad and Quinn bring to light the prejudice and racism present in even the smallest things a black person does. Both voices - excellently written - will keep readers riveted and will open the eyes of teens living a privileged life.
https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/all-american-boys-by-jason-reynolds-and-brendan-kiely/
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Arlington Public Library

Reading About Black Lives

American Spy

American Spy: A Novel

The Color of Water

The Color of Water

The Darkest Color

The Darkest Child

God Help the Child

God Help the Child

Heads of the Colored People

Heads of the Colored People

Find more "Reading About Black Lives" books in the Library Catalog

Black Lives on Film

Dear White People

Dear White People

I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO

I Am Not Your Negro

Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station

Selma

Selma

Whose Streets

Whose Streets?

Find more "Black Lives on Film" movies in the Library Catalog

More to find online:

  • 13th
  • The Hate U Give
  • Just Mercy
  • Blindspotting
  • When They See Us
  • American Son
  • The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
  • Do the Right Thing

Lives of Black Women in America

Aint I a Woman

Ain't I A Woman

Bad Feminist- Essays

Bad Feminist: Essays

A Bound Woman is a Dangeroous Thing

A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing

Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures

Hood Feminism

Hood Feminism

Find more "Lives of Black Women in America" books in the Library Catalog

Kids & Teens

Books for Kids & Teens

Black Lives Matter: Books to Start a Conversation

All American Boys

All American Boys

Black Brother Black Brother

Black Brother Black Brother

Colorblind

Colorblind

Hands Up!

Hands Up!

The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give

Find more "Black Lives Matter: Books to Start a Conversation" books in the Library Catalog

Picture Books

Bedtime Bonnet

Bedtime Bonnet

The Big Bed

The Big Bed

Black is a Rainbow Color

Black is a Rainbow Color

Don't Touch My Hair

Don't Touch My Hair

Hair Love

Hair Love

Find more Picture Books in the Library Catalog

Books for Elementary Grade Readers

As Brave As You

As Brave As You

Blended

Blended

Brown Girl Dreaming

Brown Girl Dreaming

Not My Idea

Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness

Ghost Boys

Ghost Boys

Find more Books for Elementary Grade Readers in the Library Catalog

Books for Middle Grade Readers

8th Grade Superzero

8th Grade Superzero

Ghetto Cowboy

Ghetto Cowboy

Elijah of Buxton

Elijah of Buxton

Clean Getaway

Clean Getaway

Betty Before X

Betty Before X

Find more Books for "Middle Grade Readers" in the Library Catalog

Books for Teen Readers

After Tupac & D Foster

After Tupac & D Foster

Black Enough

Black Enough

Black Girl Unlimited

Black Girl Unlimited

Boy in the Black Suit

The Boy in the Black Suit

Dear Martin

Dear Martin

Find more Books for Teen Readers in the Library Catalog

Black Lives Matter: Graphic Novels

Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists

Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists

Big Black

Big Black: Stand at Attica

Bingo Love

Bingo Love

Black

Black

Fights

Fights: One Boy's Triumph Over Violence

Find more "Graphic Novels" in the Library Catalog

More Resources

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)

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