Fighting Racism Resource List
(Not all of these resources have been previewed by the Social Justice Ministry but are presented for exploration of this vital topic) Updated 8/31/2020
Books on American Racism
America’s Original Sin, Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America by Jim Wallis :A 2015 look into the United States' issues with race and a call to action in overcoming the racism ingrained in American society.
The Anti-Racist Cookbook byRobin Parker and Pamela Smith Chambers
Becoming by Michelle Obama, In her memoir, a work of deep re lection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her.
Becoming an Antiracist Church by Joseph Brandt
Between the World and Me - a 2015 non iction book written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and published by Spiegel & Grau. It is written as a letter to the author's teenage son about the feelings, symbolism, and realities associated with being Black in the United States.
Black Like Me, by John Howard Grif in, Written in 1961 White writer darkened his skin for 6 months and traveled through the south to experience the true situation that people of color faced.
The BLM website also offers a 4 year anniversary report from the BLM organization which is 33 pages long. It appears to be a bit dated but may be of interest. Black Lives Matter - Albany, NY - Home | Facebook www.facebook.com › ... › Black Lives Matter - Albany, NY
The Color of Water by James McBride bout his life as a black man raised by a white, Jewish mother, named Ruth. The book is the product of fourteen years of research, including the author's interviews with his mother about her heritage.
Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America is a 2012 non- iction book by the American author Gilbert King. It is a history of the attorney Thurgood Marshall's defense of four young black men in Lake County, Florida, who were accused in 1949 of raping a white woman.
Evicted by Matthew Desmond: 2016 non- iction, Princeton sociologist and MacArthur “Genius” follows 8 families in Milwaukee as they each struggle to keep a roof over their heads.
Ferguson and Faith, Sparking Leadership and Awakening Community: by Leah Gunning Francis, 2015: Stories of the eclectic group of faith leaders -- many of them young, most of them black women -- who have been leading the response to Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri.
How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi: 2019 non- iction book by American author and historian. The book discusses concepts of racism and Kendi's proposals for anti-racist individual actions and systemic changes.
How to be an Anti-Racist Book Group Discussion Questions several on line sites.
The Known World by Edward P. Jones : A 2003 historical novel by Edward P. Jones. Set in Virginia during the antebellum era, it examines the issues regarding the ownership of black slaves by both white and black Americans.
Just Mercy ( ilm also on Prime video) by Bryan Stevenson: A Story of Justice and Redemption. by Bryan Stevenson. A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to ix our broken system of justice—from one of the most brilliant and in luential lawyers of our time. The last 3 chapters speak strongly for an end to the death penalty as well as for an end to injustice in our prisons, and are spiritually inspiring.
Just Water, The Theology and Ethics of Fresh Water Crises by Christiana Z. Peppard: A study of the necessity and availability of a supply of fresh water from the perspective of Christian ethics, this revised edition includes new data and updates on social developments related to water.
Me and White Supremacy:Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness - Michelle Alexander - A New York Times Best Seller, this book came out just after Obama's irst election, and talks about institutional racism and the brokenness of the criminal justice system. The 10th anniversary edition that includes a new preface by the author. Raising White Kids: Bringing up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey Rest in Power - by Co Fulton and Tracy Martin, re: the killing of Trayvon Martin, written by his parents. This killing is what touched off the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement. NOTE: There is a six-part documentary “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story “that recounts the life and tragic death of 17- year-old Trayvon Martin in 2012, the polarizing trial of George Zimmerman and the rise of Black Lives Matter, produced by Paramount ilms.
So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo - guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and af irmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible, namely, honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life (a book currently being read by the Sisters of St. Joseph!)
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi -a 2016 non- iction book about the history of race in the United States by Ibram X. Kendi that won the National Book Award for Non iction. .
Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism, New York: The New Press, 2005 reprinted 2006, 562 pages. While often equated with the Jim Crow South, the sundown town, as documented by author James W. Loewen, was a Northern invention created by waves of lynching and riots in nearly every state north of the Mason-Dixon Line. In these towns, a minority might have been allowed in during the day, to work or shop, possibly, but as a rule, these same persons were not allowed to remain in the towns after sunset, hence the nickname "sundown town." A pdf document of chapter 1 is available from www.uvm.edu.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: A 1937 novel by African-American writer Zora Neale Hurston. It is considered a classic of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, and it is likely Hurston's best known work. The novel explores main character Janie Crawford's "ripening from a vibrant, but voiceless, teenage girl into a woman with her inger on the trigger of her own destiny".
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup: An 1853 memoir and slave narrative by American Solomon Northup as told to and edited by David Wilson. Northup, a black man who was born free in New York state, details his being tricked to go to Washington, D.C., where he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Deep South. He was in bondage for 12 years in Louisiana before he was able to secretly get information to friends and family in New York, who in turn secured his release with the aid of the state.
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson: This work tells the story of the Great Migration and the Second Great Migration, the movement of African Americans out of the Southern United States to the Midwest, Northeast and West from approximately 1915 to 1970. The book intertwines a general history and statistical analysis of the entire period. It includes the biographies of three persons: a sharecropper's wife who left Mississippi in the 1930s for Chicago, an agricultural worker who left Florida for New York City in the 1940s, and a doctor who left Louisiana in the early 1950s, moving to Los Angeles.
We Speak for Ourselves: A Word from Forgotten Black America – D Watkins
White Fragility, Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin Di Angelo Also Workbook available
White Trash by Nancy Isenberg, A 400 Year Untold History of Class in America
Why are all the Black Kids sitting together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum PhD
Books for Children
Board Book Anti-racist Baby by Ibram X Kendi for babies and their families.
Whose Knees are These? by Jabari Asim- interactive and multicultural book, a fun way to embrace diversity.
Picture books (ages 3-8) All are Welcome, by Alexandra Penfold, Celebrates diversity by showing how children in one classroom all grow and learn from each other’s traditions.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman, Grace’s grandmother helps her realize that with effort anything can be achieved. The Adventures of Lil Margie by Nakia Tillman retelling her grandmother’s story of growing up in the segregated south. https://theadventureso lil.wixsite.com/margie
Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy
Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs, Parents should read it irst and be ready to answer question about bullying and the context of racism.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, An inspiring story of inding courage to connect.
Firebird By ballerina Misty Copeland
Hair Love by Matthew A Cherry, A father helps style his daughter’s beautiful hair.
I Am Enough by Grace Byers, An ode to female empowerment - loving who you are, kindness and respecting others.
I Believe I Can by Grace Byers, Lets all kids know that, no matter their background, they can love and believe in themselves.
Little Leaders, Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison, The biographies of 40 remarkable Black women are brought to life.
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Kathryn Russell-Brown
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe, Inspired by a traditional African folktale that is a classical Cinderella story. My Hair is a Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera, Mack learns to care for her hair and appreciate herself.
The Roots of Rap by Carole Boston Weatherford Picture book Illustrated by Frank Morrison, an artist famous for his paintings of POC
Schomberg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford
She Persisted: 13 Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton, Features 13 women throughout history and today who persevered in the face of adversity.
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’O about self-esteem and beauty within. This is a stunningly illustrated story that is very heartwarming. Be prepared to answer questions about colorism.
For Young Adult Readers Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, good for families to read together with older kids. Targeted for middle school students. https://www.lbyr.com/titles/jason-reynolds/stamped-racism-antiracism-and-you/ 9780316453707/
Videos - Film, Documentaries, TV
“4 Little Girls” - ilm on the fatal Birmingham church bombing resulting in the death of 4 little children, by Spike Lee; Free Meek - a ive-episode PRIME offering - docudrama.
“13th” -Net lix and now available for free on You Tube - is a documentary with the title based upon the 13th amendment that was supposed to free enslaved persons and an accompanying program: “13th: A Conversation with Oprah Winfrey”
"Amplifying Black Stories”- Some great titles: a ilm based on a book: The Hate U Give - teens especially will like. “Becoming” A critically acclaimed documentary partly based on her bestselling memoir of the same name.
“Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise “ - 2016 Leaving Amazon Prime 6/30 but available if you have PBS Passport: 4 episodes, 55 min. each - Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (does Finding Your Ancestors on PBS)
*”I Am Not Your Negro,” 2017 Envisions James Baldwin’s un inished book, Remember this House. Connects the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement with today’s.
*”Myths About Confederate Monuments” https://youtu.be/55ehKPUm7dc
“Reconstruction”- PBS 4 part documentary that explores the transformative years following the American Civil War, when the nation struggled to rebuild itself in the face of profound loss, massive destruction, and revolutionary social change.
“Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” six-part documentary that recounts the life and tragic death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in 2012, the polarizing trial of George Zimmerman and the rise of Black Lives Matter, produced by Paramount ilms.
“Selma” - ilm based on the historic Selma civil rights march of the 60’s;
“The Talk: Race in America” - PBS 1 hr 55-minute documentary Rosie Perez and several others discuss the reality of parenting and attempting to keep safe the non-white child growing up in a racist US
“Two Black Men: A Week” -2016, 50-minute documentary: In the USA, a young black man has 21 more chances to get killed by the police than a young white boy. Every week, two black would be shot by the police. So what's going wrong between the police and the black community in the US? Why this disproportionate use of force? What are the authorities doing to ight the police's abusive behavior?
“The Uncomfortable Truth” - 1 hr 25-minute documentary
“When They See Us” - Ava DuVernay's ilm - including 3-part series done for Net lix,- about the Central Park Five the 3-part Net lix ilm about the Central Park Five who were wrongly arrested and jailed for assaulting "the Central Park Jogger" back in the late 1980's. The Internet says, as of 6/19/2020, you can see this "in front of Net lix's paywall." “Where do We Go from Here?” Amazon Prime: OWN Spotlight: in 2 parts - produced by Oprah Winfrey for her network - each 51 minutes long - Black leaders respond to the recent protests generated by the murder of George Floyd by police.
Online Articles “The assumptions of white privilege and what we can do about it” National Catholic Reporter-Amy Cooper knew exactly what she was doing. We all do. And that's the problem. Jun 1, 2020 by Bryan N. Massingale OpinionJustice. Available on line at ncronline.org
*”Confederate Statues Were Never Really About Preserving History”, by Ryan Best View charts showing by year: The monuments dedicated Those built by the Daughters of the confederacy Those established on courthouse grounds Schools and colleges named for confederate leaders Those removed and those still standing. https://projects. ivethirtyeight.com/confederate-statues/
“How White People Got Made” by Quinn Norton, at medium.com
“ The Remarkable Story of John Howard Grif in” Author of Black Like Me http:// www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2015/06/black-like-story-white-journalist- john-howard-grif in/
“Speak Up: Respond to Everyday Bigotry” by the Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.splcenter.org/20150125/speak-responding-everyday-bigotry
“White Fragility”, by Robin Di Angelo, Presents another perspective on white privilege. https://libjournal.uncg.edu/ijcp/article/viewFile/249/116
On Line Study Courses
“21 Days Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge” https://www.debbyirving.com/21-day-challenge/ Large amount of resources of articles, videos. Choose one each day for 21 days.
NETWORK, a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace, educates, organizes and lobbies for economic and social transformation. “Recommit to Racial Justice Guide” (Download the full guide as a PDF." • We Are Called to Work for Racial Justice • Establishing a Common Understanding of Racism and White Supremacy • The Origins of the Racial Wealth and Income Gap • Perpetuating the Racial Wealth and Income Gap In Our Policies • The Legacy of Injustices Against Native Americans • The Impact of Racism on U.S. Immigration Past and Present • Health Equity Is a Racial Justice Imperative • Hope for Our Liberation networkadvocates.org
“From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement” Emory University Free Online Course at Coursera, https://www.coursera.org/
“Open Wide our Hearts - the Enduring Call to Love, a Pastoral Letter”: US Catholic Conference of Bishops At usccb.org/racism, 2-pagers exploring many aspects of institutional or systemic racism are available What Is Systemic Racism? | Racism and Economic Inequality | Racism and Education | Racism and Employment | Racism and Housing | Racism and the Criminal Justice System | Racism and the Native American Experience | Racism and Voting | Racism and Immigration
Toolkits "Resources" on Black Lives Matter website menu includes several down-loadable “A Healing Action, Con lict Resolution, and Talk about Trayvon” (young boy killed when he went out to get candy and a drink)
Toolkit -speci ically for White People (5 pages) and one for POC Organizers 6 pages; these appear to be geared toward the anniversary time of his death, either that or Black History Month (Feb).
Capital Region Community Organizations for Social Justice
Anti-Defamation League (newyork.adl.org) Based in New York City with a satellite of ice in Albany, the New York Region of the Anti- Defamation League serves all of New York State.
Black Lives Matter Upstate NY (blacklivesmatter.com)
Capital District Showing Up for Racial Justice- (showingupforracialjustice.org)
Stephanie Marie Fox *Haudenosaunee Cultural Programs *Interfaith Story Circles
Capital Area Council of Churches (capareacc.org)
Civil Liberties Union – (nyclu.org) Melanie Trimble, Chapter Director
The Institute for Peace and Justice (of [email protected])
Niskayuna
Niskayuna Community Action Program (ncapnisky.org)
Niskayuna High School- Eva Jones, Asst. Principal
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Social Justice Ministry -- Elaine Bair ([email protected])
Niskayuna Task Force on Racial Equity and Justice ([email protected])
Albany
ALBANY COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION For additional information, please contact the Albany County Human Rights Commission at (518) 447-5510.
Albany Interfaith Center (albanyinterfaithcenter.org) Dr. Massarat Chandhry
Capital Area Municipal Of ices NYS DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Tel No. (518) 474-2705 (or 2707) [email protected]
Schenectady
City Mission of Schenectady (citymission.org) – Barbara Smith Michael Saccocio, Executive Director, 346-2275
Interfaith Community of Schenectady (schenectadyinterfaith.weebly.com ) Humera Kahn, Miranda Rand
Schenectady ARC (arcschenectady.org)
Schenectady Clergy Against Hate- https://www.facebook.com/clergyagainsthate/
SCAP- Schenectady Community Action Program ELC- Ann Haywood
Schenectady United Neighborhoods -- Will Vining, President, at [email protected], cell 803-984-6873 *(10 associations, does not include the Stockade Association or the GE Realty Plot, plus some smaller ones like The Boulevards group).
SICM Schenectady Community Ministries (sicm.us) ( tel. 518-374-2683)
CAPITAL REGION BOCES –Cathy Welling
SCHENECTADY COUNTY OFFICE OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Miriam Cajuste, Manager, tel. 518-388-4233, Ext. 4171 [email protected], Reports on statistical breakdown of employee backgrounds. Outreach to minorities in the Schenectady community.
SCHENECTADY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, (https://www.schenectadycounty.com/ humanrights
Working Group on Girls of Schenectady ( www.wggschenectady.org ) National
Poor People’s Campaign-A National Call for Moral Revival- goal to promote justice in all areas -https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org
“The assumptions of white privilege and what we can do about it” Amy Cooper knew exactly what she was doing. We all do. And that's the problem. Jun 1, 2020 by Bryan N. Massingale OpinionJustice