Anti-Racism Reading List November 2022

Hello friends,

Whew - reading list time came around fast. There are articles in this month’s roundup I’m STILL thinking about. I hope they make you think, too. Let’s dive in…

1. When Readers Don’t See The Humanity in Your Work by Vena Moore

Vena Moore is coming in hot with an exploration of whether trauma porn is the only thing that makes people pay attention to Black people’s struggles. She explains why that’s a problem.

2. Class, Caste, and Unapologetic Racism by Robert Livingston

Last month, I shared the first part of Robert Livingston’s exploration of racism outside the USA. The second part is particularly interesting, as it covers one of my other homes, the UK. His observations are fascinating.

3. Stop Trying to be a Perfect Antiracist & be a Decent Human Instead by Dr. Tiffany Jana

This is an oldie and goodie that resurfaced recently. Honestly, I have nothing to add, but this example of what allyship can look like is instructive:

4. Why we need to stop excluding Black populations from ideas of who is “Indigenous” by Hari Ziyad

I’m adding this article under the heading of “things that made me think”, even though I’m not 100% sure WHAT I think because I’m still reflecting on it. But this paragraph stopped me in my tracks:

5. Study finds racism causes Black Americans' brains to age faster than people of other races — increasing dementia risk by Allana Akhtar

Sigh. We already know that racism takes a toll. This study provides more evidence. Isn’t it about time we did something about it?

6. Yo White People, Are You Really Ready to Ally? By Devon J. Hall

Here, Devon J. Hall explores the difference between attempting to speak for people and making space for them, and looks at how to be an effective ally without stressing out your Black and Global Majority friends and colleagues.

7. When White Women Weaponize Brené Browne Against Black Women by Rebecca Stevens Alder

It’s not the first time I’ve heard that the self-help methods that work for the global minority can be weaponised against the Global Majority. This article by Rebecca Stevens Alder illustrates how this happens:

8. Miss Major & Chase Strangio: The Irrepressible Future of Trans Power by Wren Sanders

I shared this article in the Diverse Leaders Group community after seeing it on LinkedIn, and I felt I had to share it again. Miss Major’s words as a trans activist with a focus on women of colour really spoke to me, particularly the answer to the question of when will we be free:

9. To Straighten Or Not To Straighten: The Difficult Decision That Black Women Face When It Comes To Their Hair by Janice Gassam Asare

I really related to this article, having faced that decision in my own working life (yes, in the Caribbean, too). Combined with the recent news (which many already suspected) that some of these hair straighteners increase the risk of cancer,, it seems a good reason to ban these products altogether. But ideas around “professionalism” may keep them on the shelves.

10. Bill Maher’s ‘But What About Merit’ Commentary Exposes The Racist Conditioning Of Many ‘Good White People’” by Dana Brownlee

Some ideas last and last - and the idea that people from the Global Majority are less competent is one of them. Dana Brownlee shows one example of this in action, as well as all the reasons why it’s wrong.

Bonus: Untold: The Golden Age of Africa | Emmanuel Kulu, Jr.

This is a powerful video about Africa and history.

As always, I’d love to hear which of these articles resonated with you most, and what your takeaways are.

Thanks for reading,

Sharon

© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2022. All Rights Reserved.

I am an anti-racism writer, educator and activist, Co-Founder of Diverse Leaders Group, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast. If you value my perspective, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription.