Let’s Talk About: #blacklivesmatter

For all the years that I’ve had this blog, I’ve shied away from posting about things other than books and the occasional personal update. But the time for only talking about easy things is over, and I think that the absolute bare minimum that anybody can do right now is publicly support Black Lives Matter and condemn both the overt and subtle racism in today’s society.

I’ve spent the last few days reading articles, watching videos, and listening to firsthand accounts of the protests happening around the world. I’ve bookmarked a ton of lists of books to read to educate myself on racism. Instead of trying to insert myself into this conversation or trying to educate anyone on an experience I can’t even begin to imagine, I’ve compiled a list of resources that I’ve found useful.

I would love to discuss any resources you’ve found helpful or book recommendations you have in the comments.

By proclaiming that Black Lives Matter, the leaders of the movement for Black lives have been insistent that the American democratic project be as inclusive as it claims to be. White supremacists’ gaslighting insists that what the statement really means is “only Black lives matter,” but that is willful ignorance on the part of folks who refuse to see that the conditions that prompted the proclamation in the first place were conditions that tried to assert that Black lives didn’t matter, that they were disposable, and that Black communities didn’t deserve justice. Black women therefore stood up and said, “We matter. Too. Also.” I simply refuse to believe that white people don’t know this.

Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper

Book recommendations:

Black-owned bookstores:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8OuAHBZRp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA9gpFHBBln/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Further reading:

Edit #1:

To contribute financially without actually spending any money, you can let this video play without skipping ads. It’s important to watch other videos before replaying this one, or the views could be marked as spam and excluded from ad revenue. It might occasionally ask you to confirm that you’re still watching.

I let this play in the background yesterday while I worked (I used this playlist) and I plan to do the same today.

100% of the advertisement revenue this video makes through AdSense will be donated to the associations that offer protester bail funds, help pay for family funerals, and advocacy listed in the beginning of the video

(Thank you to Laura Beth for reminding me to add this video to my post!)

Do you have any resources that I should add to this post?
Let’s talk in the comments!

17 thoughts on “Let’s Talk About: #blacklivesmatter”

  1. Fictionally Sandee says:
    Reply

    Great post Sara! I’m not well-read on the topic either but do want to education myself as well to be able to understand what is really going on. All these links and posts are helpful in my understanding of the current situation. Given I live half-way around the world from where the protests are happening, I do believe it’s also important that everyone is aware of this. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Laura Beth says:
    Reply

    Thank you so much for sharing these resources! Like you, I’m trying to educate myself as much as possible. I don’t want to stop!

    I may have missed it in your post, but here’s a YouTube link to help BLM with no money of your own. It’s an hour long, and as long as you don’t skip the ads, 100% of the ad revenue will be donated to associations offering protester bail funds, paying for family funerals, and advocacy.

    Also, I’m going to read Just Mercy next week. I’ve ordered White Fragility. Another book I recommend is Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sara @ The Bibliophagist says:
      Reply

      I had that video playing while I worked yesterday! I can’t believe I forgot to add that to the list. Thank you!

      I have a hold (#25 out of 43!) on White Fragility at the library right now. I think it’s going to be a great read. I’ll look into Evicted too!

      Liked by 1 person

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