BLACK LIVES MATTER

In light of recent events, I have realized that it is not an option to remain silent. It is crucial that I utilize my platform (however minor) to amplify the voices of those who are repeatedly silenced and neglected. In order to contribute to this movement, and to future movements, it is incredibly important to spread awareness and become an active participant in this emphatic call for enduring change. Therefore, I will be listing resources below that you can visit in order to support this movement and continue to educate yourself all the while.

I will continue to contribute additional resources to this post as I educate myself further (particularly with respect to literature).

Ways To Help

Their heading reads: When You’re Done: Educate Yourself. This Doesn’t Go Away Once The Topic Isn’t, “Trending.”

This site allows you to do the following:

• Sign petitions
• Text or call
• Donate money
• Access additional resources
• Access information for protestors
• Access FAQ

Donate By Means of a Video

This project allows people to donate through the viewing of the video. All of the ad revenue will be donated to numerous Black Lives Matter organizations. In order to participate in this video project, watch the video, ensure the ads are running, repeat the video, and share the video. Not only is this project a fantastic way to raise money for Black Lives Matter, the video is comprised of beautiful art from Black creators.

*If the video pasted above does not work, you can visit this one:

*YouTube seems to be deactivating these video projects associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. In order to discover operating videos, visit YouTube and search up something corresponding to “Donate to BLM.” Numerous video projects similar to the initial one will appear.

Allies

Courtney Ariel, the author of the article pasted above, says, “I’m writing this in hopes that it can be used to lighten the load of marginalized folks, keeping in mind that not all marginalized people want to engage in the ally conversation, and that is perfect as well. For those who do, my prayer is that when someone asks you the question, “how can I be a stronger ally?” you might choose to save your breath/energy and send this in its place.”

I highly encourage you to visit this article in order to further recognize the ways in which we can all become stronger allies in an appropriate and understanding manner.

Black Lives Matter

BLM’s #WhatMatters2020 is a campaign aimed to maximize the impact of the BLM movement by galvanizing BLM supporters and allies to the polls in the 2020 U.S Presidential Election to build collective power and ensure candidates are held accountable for the issues that systematically and disproportionately impact Black and under-served communities across the nation. 

This website allows you to:

• Donate to BLM
• Access their resources
• Sign up for updates
• Pledge to vote
• Register to vote
• Watch videos about their work and better educate yourself

Petitions to Sign (Twitter Thread)

The link pasted above will direct you to a twitter thread featuring countless petitions that “haven’t yet reached their goals.” Support and then promote!

EDUCATION THROUGH LITERATURE:

These are the books that rapidly came to mind concerning literature that provides readers with significant insight into racism. I will certainly be enhancing this shamefully meagre list as I continue to read more about this subject matter. (The books listed below I have all read.)

The Hate U Give by: Angie Thomas – A novel

White Fragility by: Robin DiAngelo – A novel

TransAtlantic by: Colum McCann – A novel

Let the Great World Spin by: Colum McCann – A novel

The Sun Is Also a Star by: Nicola Yoon – A novel

Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments by: Saidiya Hartman – A novel

Americanah by: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – A novel

White Rage by: Carol Anderson – A novel

If you wish to learn about additional novels concerning racism, visit this article (courtesy of Barbara!). The list consists of fourteen books, each accompanied by a brief description.

AMERICAN AND CANADIAN BLACK-OWNED BOOKSTORES:

American Black-Owned Bookstores (Twitter Thread)

The link pasted above will direct you to a Twitter thread featuring numerous Black-owned bookstores that you can support.

American Black-Owned Bookstores (Website)

The link pasted above will direct you to a website listing ten Black-owned bookstores in the United States, featuring their Instagram pages and a description of each bookstore.

A Canadian Black-Owned Bookstore (Toronto)

This link will direct you to one specific Canadian Black-owned bookstore called A Different Booklist.

Canadian Black-Owned Bookstores (Twitter)

This link will direct you to a Twitter post by booktuber Ariel Bissett, in which a picture featuring five Black-owned bookstores located in Canada is attached. The website to the first bookstore listed, A Different Booklist, is pasted above!

These bookstores each have a large selection of African American and multicultural literature. On my next purchase—and on future ones, as well—I will be sure to support these Black-owned bookstores and continue to educate myself through their stock.

Readers for Equality

This link will direct you to an Instagram post from booktuber, Hailey in Bookland. The post explains how Readers for Equality are demanding transparency, diversity, and compensation from the publishing industry. In order to support this movement, participate in the sharing of this post (whether that be through social media or your social network).

Spotify Playlist Compiled by Emma Watson

This link will direct you to a Spotify playlist comprised of “podcasts, writing, analysis and discussion that have helped me understand systemic racism, white supremacy and the experiences of black people, indigenous people and people of colour.” (Quote by Emma Watson via Instagram.) The latest episode is hosted by Emma Watson, in which she interviews British author Reni Eddo-Lodge. The interview was an excellent introduction to Eddo-Lodge’s debut novel, Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race (a novel I intend to purchase shortly). Throughout the interview, various matters are discussed, such as Eddo-Lodge’s blog post that provoked the development of the book; the mental health impacts of enduring racism; publicly discussing racism; and feminist activism as a Black woman. I thoroughly recommend listening to this podcast (which is a mere fifty minutes), and I hope Emma Watson will continue to upload additional interviews in which she is the host (in which case, I will share that information in this post).

A List of Resources

This link will direct you to a Google Doc featuring an incredible list of resources. Supporting the Black Lives Matter movement can be demonstrated in numerous ways. I therefore implore you to visit the Doc and explore one of the links listed, whether that involves signing a petition or watching an educational movie.

A List of Black Bloggers (Twitter)

This link will direct you to a Twitter thread featuring a list of Black bloggers (I believe they’re predominantly book bloggers, but I might be mistaken). I hope you explore the blogs and stumble across one to your liking!

Blackout Buddy Read

Lastly, I have pasted above a fabulous video introducing the Blackout buddy read by booktuber and book reviewer, Shae. Throughout the video, she explains what prompted her to organize the Blackout buddy read, as well as what it involves. Shae settled on two specific books for the Blackout buddy read: White Fragility by: Robin DiAngelo, and White Rage by: Carol Anderson. Although I will not be participating in the buddy read (as I do not have access to these books at the moment), I will be watching the live show Shae is hosting to conclude the buddy read, and I will certainly place an order for the books!

I hope you will visit at least one of the resources I have listed. And as mentioned, I will continue to contribute further resources to the list upon discovery (specifically under the literature category).

All the best,

ava