Resources

Following on from our statement fully supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, we wanted to share our recommendations on what to watch, read and listen to. There is also a bite-sized section for quick videos that we have found really educational or inspirational! 

TO WATCH:

13th (Netflix/YouTube)

American documentary film by Ava DuVerney (also directed When They See Us on this list) that explores how the 13th amendment had a big loophole exploiting incarcerated African-Americans as free labour. An educating watch that will leave you outraged.

13th is on Netflix but is currently available to watch for FREE on YouTube!

 

A House Through Time (BBC iPlayer)

Documentary series uncovering the secret history of Britain’s houses. Series 3 explains the history of Number 10 Guinea Street in Bristol, a house that was founded on the fortunes of the slave trade. A very interesting watch that reveals Britain’s dark ties to slavery and racism.
 

Dear White People (Netflix)

An American comedy-drama series following the lives of four Black students at an Ivy League Institution. Very tongue in cheek, perfect initial watch for students! 
 

Sitting in Limbo (BBC iPlayer)

A shocking drama inspired by the real-life experience of Anthony Bryan who, after living in the UK for over 50 years, was wrongly detained by the Home Office and threatened with deportation. A powerful insight into the terrible Windrush scandal. 
 

Teach Us All (Netflix)

A documentary film showing the prevalent education inequality in the USA and the number of hyper-segregated schools despite being banned 60 years prior. Well-directed, with a sombre look at how the colour of skin impacts your opportunities in life even to this day. 
 

When They See Us (Netflix)

American miniseries based on the horrific events of the Central Park Five; five young Black men were wrongly accused and prosecuted for raping a white woman. A vital watch that prominently shows the systemic racism in the USA. 
 

TO READ:

Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race (by Reni Eddo-Lodge)

A must-read exploring the links between gender, class and race in Britain and white people’s denial about racial issues. Reni Eddo-Lodge became the first-ever Black author to top the UK fiction charts with this book!
 

Brit(ish) (by Afua Hirsch

Author and journalist Afua Hirsch gives her account of growing up as a mixed-race woman in modern day Britain as well as telling the history of race in Britain and its dark past.
 

How To Be an Antiracist (by Ibram X. Kendi)

This book is a call to action that we should all heed to be antiracist. Ibram X. Kendi teaches us that we all complicit when it comes to racism and how we must take steps to be a force for good!
 

Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change The World (by Layla Saad)

Ready to do the work to be antiracist but don’t know where to begin? This is the perfect book from Layla Saad as its also about your own willing participating; journaling and confronting your behaviours and privilege. 
 

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire (by Akala

Half an autobiography and half a polemic on race and class in Britain, musician, poet and journalist Akala holds up a mirror to contemporary Britain and how we see race.
 

This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work (by Tiffany Jewell)

A fantastic read aimed at young people and students that is also a handbook to reflect and take action to be antiracist and anti-bias. It is short and very accessible with colourful illustrations to make the points stand out! 
 

So You Want to Talk About Race (by Ijeoma Oluo)

This is a passionate, straight-forward take on systemic racism in America from Ijeoma Oluo who covers topics concisely and even with occasional humour from her personal racial experiences. Well worth a read, tells you directly what you need to know! 
 

The Fire This Time (by Jasemyn Ward)

A beautifully written collection of essays and poems from the current Black generation, inspired by James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time. Each one in this book is deeply personal, with great sadness yet also hope. With 18 writers featured, you’ll find at least one piece that resonates with you.
 

Your Silence Will Not Protect You (by Audre Lorde)

A compilation of speeches and writings by the self-proclaimed ‘black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet’ who dedicated her life and creative talent to fighting injustice. A famous quote we love from her:

‘It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept and celebrate those differences.’
 

TO LISTEN:

Have You Heard George’s Podcast? 

Well, have you? This podcast by the brilliant George The Poet weaves music, poetry and drama into not just a world-class audio experience, but a deep dive into British BAME culture and recent events such as the Grenfell Tower fire. 
 

Code Switch

A long-running American podcast from NPR where journalists of colour tackle the subject of race and cover its impact in every part of society. Highly recommend the recent episode They Don’t Say Our Names Enough about the legacy of Black gay rights icon Storme DeLarverie. 
 

About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge

Reni Eddo-Lodge (author of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race) made this podcast in 2018 but it feels more timely than ever. Reni discusses race with various figures, such as comedian Nish Kumar and actor Riz Ahmed. 
 

The Breakdown with Shaun King

Shaun King (American writer and civil rights activist) breaks down important stories about racism, injustice and corruption on each episode. A great mix of information and practical steps you can take!
 

Speaking of Racism

Activists fight every day to make the world a better place, this podcast celebrates those tackling racism and talks about what they are doing and how you can help. 
 

1619

August 1619: A ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia, beginning the desperately sad history of Black slavery in America. A well-produced podcast from NYT with only six episodes, this is a vital listen! 
 

Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air

American comedian and writer Larry Wilmore hosts this podcast discussing various topics in the worlds of politics, culture and more.  A great mix of hard-hitting issues, as well as episodes that celebrates Black entertainment figures.
 

Black Wall Street 1921

Anyone who watched the new Watchman series will remember the horrific first episode showing the 1921 Tulsa massacre in gruesome detail. This podcast chronicles the history of that attack (deemed the worst racial incident in American history) and its aftermath.
 

BITE-SIZED:

Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man
 

 

Emmanuel Acho hosts this short weekly show, having honest frank conversations about race. A must-see to be aware of our own biases and why we must have these uncomfortable discussions for anything to change.

 

How Can We Win
 

 

Kimberley Jones, author and activist, gives a powerful explanation in this viral video about how the system has always been rigged against Black people in USA. 

 

Everyday racism: what should we do? 
 

 

Akala, who wrote Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire, talks about everyday racism (micro-aggressions) in this quick informative video about racism.

 

Racism in the UK
 

 

A clip of Akala talking about racism in the UK on Frankie Boyle’s Election Autopsy. 

 

 

Got any recommendations yourself? Let us know on social media and we can add it to the page! 

 

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