AKRON, Ohio — The recent protests have piqued the interest of more people to understand the Black Lives Matter movement, and how they can better understand race.
Judi Hill, President of the Akron Chapter of the NAACP, says part of the responsibility is on everyone to be proactive and search for the information, although she understands it can be overwhelming.
"There’s so much out there, but most of it can be found right here on this little thing, our phone, our computers," she said. "Go to those resources, take advantage, pick one and just enjoy it."
There are countless articles you can read to better understand white privilege and writings about the lived experience of black fear. Podcasts are another great way to learn about the intersectionality of race, privilege, history, and how it impacts all of us. Hill recommends parents also have age-appropriate talks with kids.
"Talk about the issues, I don’t think you have to go into details, but I think you also need to help them understand what’s going on and by doing it is using a teaching opportunity," she said.
If you prefer visuals, there are movies and documentaries that break down inequality and real lived experiences from past to present.
"I think when you understand or attempt to understand it," Hill explained. "It helps with your discernment and understanding why people react the way they do."
There are also plenty of books on how to be anti-racist, uncovering your own prejudice, and more. Hill says being a better ally usually starts with awareness and education, which usually means starting with yourself.
"If you don’t take a chance to look at yourself, then you’re likely going to repeat the same thing that you’re trying to fight."
Resources shown in story, partly selected by Romney:
ARTICLES
- "Unpacking the White Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh
- "Who gets to be afraid in America" by Ibram X. Kendi
MOVIES
- "13th" on Netflix
- "When They See US" on Netflix
- "Fruitvale Station"
- "Selma"
PODCASTS
- "Speak Out" with Tim Wise
- "Co-Conspired Conversation"
- "The 1619 Project" from The New York Times
BOOKS
- "Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think and Do" by Jennifer Eberhardt
- "Me and White Supremacy" by Layla Saad
- "Tears We Cannot Stop" by Michael Eric Dyson
- "How To Be Anti Racist" by Ibram X. Kendi
- "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi
- "Between The World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria" by Beverly Daniel Tatum
- "White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism" by Robin DiAngelo
- "Anti-racist Baby" by Ibram X. Kendi
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