Black Lives Matter

A selection of books, that I have read and am going to read to educate myself about the history of black lives and white privilege and how I, as a white woman, must play my part.

I feel that it is my duty, as a white woman living in the United Kingdom to educate myself on my privilege. I am by no means anywhere near as educated on this matter as I could be, but I firmly believe that education is the only way to remove ignorance from this planet. The events happening in America sicken me, but what sickens me most is the fact that these events are still happening. The majority of the books that I have read, focus on the treatment of primarily black women, written by women who are inspirational to me; Maya Angelou, Alice Walker and Malorie Blackman being just a few.

'White privilege is an absence of the negative consequences of racism. An absence of structural discrimination, an absence of your race being viewed as a problem first and foremost...' What is White Privilege? Why I'm no longer talking to white people about Race, Reni Eddo- Lodge

However, I am eager to read and listen and watch and most importantly learn, widening my education through engaging with British Black history and realising how white privilege is embedded into society. To understand that 'white privilege is an absence of the negative consequences of racism. An absence of structural discrimination, an absence of your race being viewed as a problem first and foremost...' (Reni Eddo-Lodge). In order to learn and start change we need to be eager to listen and engage and act upon the advice and knowledge that others can teach us. Awareness, engagement and action are key. I pledge to try my best to learn and grow as a white woman and as a human being.

Below are a selection of books and a couple of podcasts that I have read and listened to, that have begun my education and a selection of books that I have come across that I want and will read to continue my education- we can never, never stop learning and growing. I would also like to point out that none of these books have appeared on my radar through state education, which is a fact that needs to change. The education system needs a greater focus on our British colonial past and how our country does have blood on its hands.

Books that I have read and would recommend;

Invisible Man- Ralph Ellison

The Color Purple- Alice Walker

I know why the caged bird sings- Maya Angelou (anything written by this amazing woman)

White Teeth/ On Beauty- Zadie Smith

An American Marriage- Tayari Jones

The Help- Kathryn Stockett

The Secret Life of Bees- Sue Monk Kidd

Noughts and Crosses- Malorie Blackman (and the rest of the series)

Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race- Reni Eddo-Lodge

A Harlot's Progress- David Dabydeen

Some of the books that I am going to read to educate myself further;

A'int I a woman: Black Women and Feminism- Bell Hooks

So you want to talk about race- Ijeoma Oluo

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindeness- Michelle Alexander

Black Feminist Thought- Patricia Hill Collins

...and so many others

Podcasts

About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge

1619-The New York Times

Code Switch- NPR

This list only scratches the surface of the incredible literature and Black voices that are, and have been calling for change for years. Please (fellow white people) research and learn and listen to the voices on social media and educate yourselves and take action.

Below is a link to a survey and petition two amazing women- Esmie and Nell-have begun, calling for action for drastic curriculum change focusing on Britain's colonial past and the hand Britain played within the slave trade. Only through learning about that past can we understand the present and implement changes for our and our children's futures. On the Impact of Omission website the work that The Black Curriculum have been pushing for years is also cited and recognised as deeply important.

If you have read this post then please take part in the survey and the petition (when it has been approved) and an even greater push would be emailing your local Mp and Gavin Williamson (Secretary of State for Education) and your current or former schools to really enforce the need for this change. On both website links below there are templates for letters you can send, so there is really no excuse.

Impact of Omission:

https://impactofomission.squarespace.com/

The Black Curriculum:

https://www.theblackcurriculum.com/our-work