Black Lives Matter read/listen/watch list

[AngeloMysterioso]

I don’t know if there’s already a thread of this nature somewhere, I’ve not seen one.

I wanted to learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement and the history behind it. I’ve been thinking a lot about which resources to look at... once you start looking it can be quite overwhelming and hard to know where to begin so I thought it might be an idea to have a thread where we can share the stuff we’ve found particularly helpful?

Last night I watched 13th on Netflix and was just astonished. I knew racism was bad in America (understatement) but I had no idea just how deep it went, to the point of being practically enshrined in law. It was a real eye opener.

www.netflix.com/title/80091741?s=i&trkid=13747225

I’ve started listening to the Code Switch podcast by an American non-profit organisation called NPR. Their description is -

“What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for! Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race head-on. We explore how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between. This podcast makes ALL OF US part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story.”

I’ve started with a recent episode called “A Decade of Watching Black People Die”.

www.npr.org/2020/05/29/865261916/a-decade-of-watching-black-people-die

Both these things are America-centric so I wanted to learn more about the situation in the U.K. I’ve borrowed a book from the library (admittedly not begun to read it yet) called Staying Power - A History of Black People in Britain by Peter Fryer which I’m hoping will be a good place to start.

Anyone?

I've started reading White Fragility: Why it's so hard to talk to white people about racism.
I couldn't find a hard copy in stock anywhere so downloaded prime for the first time and got it on there but it's only a sample so I'm not sure how to get the rest, what I read was very good though and even from just the sample I understand now why white people react the way we do when confronted with conversations about race.
I've got watching 13th on my list of things to do this weekend and that podcast sound interesting so I'll give that a go too.
Like you OP I'm really trying to take this time to educate myself so hopefully others will be along with suggestions too.
If you've not already seen it I've found the educate yourself section on this website useful blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#educate

Oops I meant downloaded the kindle app not prime!

I am reading 'Why I am no longer talking to white people about race' which has been highly recommended on here.
Thank you for your list. I look forward to seeing what other people suggest.

I highly recommend that people read "Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race" I read it about 2 years ago and have been reccomending to a lot of people but sadly its taken the current events for people to actually start considering reading it and educating themselves. Suppose better late than never!

That's the next book I want to read any idea where I can buy it from? Everywhere I looked was sold out.
@GreytExpectations you are right of course it shouldn't have taken all this for me to want to educate myself more but better to start now than not at all

I remembered I had the Reni Eddo-Lodge book on hold so just went to check and have been able to borrow that today. Think I’ll read that first.

I downloaded it onto my kindle @thatcarolebaskinbitch
I heard the author interviewed a while back and she was very interesting.

@GreytExpectations it would be more helpful to save your criticism for people who are still not educating themselves.

There are still many other causes that people are immersing themselves in. Black Lives Matter is obviously extremely important, but it isn't the only thing, and while it is trending, other causes lose out.

@thatcarolebaskinbitch

That's the next book I want to read any idea where I can buy it from? Everywhere I looked was sold out. *@GreytExpectations* you are right of course it shouldn't have taken all this for me to want to educate myself more but better to start now than not at all

It's really great that you want to educate yourself. I think I've seen some copies of it on ebay. Such a good sign it's sold out though!

@thatcarolebaskinbitch if you’re a member of a library you might be able to borrow the ebook online. That’s what I did. Had to wait a couple of weeks though.

I don’t think @GreytExpectations was trying to be critical necessarily- I agree, it’s a real pity that it’s taken the awful events in the US to be the catalyst for people starting to care enough about this, and I’m including myself in that.

I don’t think @GreytExpectations was trying to be critical necessarily- I agree, it’s a real pity that it’s taken the awful events in the US to be the catalyst for people starting to care enough about this, and I’m including myself in that.

Thank you, OP I wasn't being critical or goady. Just as a BAME person I've tried for years to have these kind of conversations and nobody would listen and instead the would bury their heads in the sand as if it's not an issue. The amount on innocent black lives that have been lost over the last decades is ridiculously high, there is also serious racism to address in this country. I don't think supporting another cause is a good excuse, it's not one or the other. But I am really happy the conversations are happening now and people are finally realising and wanting to learn. I just hope this doesn't dissappear when something else becomes more interesting.

Sorry @GreytExpectations. I agree it's better now than never.
Re the other causes, I apologise. It's not the thread for that.

Watch/listen to Prof Kehinde Andrews. Plenty in YouTube. He also writes for the Guardian. He's an academic, black radicalist and fascinating bloke.
His ideas are not palatable to many but he provides a lot of food for thought.

I also found the following on Netflix very informative (but distressing)

1. Time: The Kalief Browder Story
2. When They See Us, by Ava DuVernay who directed 13th.

Great thread OP, I read 'Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race' a long time ago. In the main because as a black person, the title resonated so much for me lol I could have written it myself!!

I am still the reluctant to talk about race to white people, even despite recent events. As in my experience It still seems to be falling on deaf ears, at least to the white people I know, sadly to the point where I just feel like giving up.

I'm halfway through white fragility which is interesting as I've never heard about it from a white persons perspective in this much depth. I don't agree with everything the book says as I find some of it patronising but I think it's a good book for those wanting to explore race further, particularly if you are white.

@AngeloMysterioso my mum is a librarian so I should ask her really!

Both US focused,

Killing Rage: Ending Racism by Bell Hooks (anything Bell Hooks is a recommendation tbh)
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

For Harriet on YouTube is great and also on YouTube The Grapevine is more of a discussion forum that's also very insightful with a wide variation of views and participants. The Grapevine has done a few UK panels as well.

They are horrific, but I think it is our duty to watch the videos of actual police violence. For example, I watched the murder of Daniel Shraver last night.

He was a black man, whose job allowed him to have some kind of pellet gone to use on birds. It was called in to police as "a black man with a rifle".... the video of him being stopped and then killed by police (when he wasn't even carrying the pellet gun, and with his hands up, begging for his life, clearly terrified) is available in full. What is most horrific to me is how the 'arresting officer' speaks to him like he is scum, barking contradictory, unnecessary commands at him, as he gets confused, trying to obey. (Including being told to crawl along the ground, AFTER he was totally laying down with hands above his head). They could have easily arrested him, but it's like they were consciously forcing him to keep moving, to give them an excuse to kill.

And there are many others.

I am sorry - Daniel Shaver

For a UK perspective, I really recommend 'Natives' by Akala. Well-written, insightful and personal.

I think it may be difficult to get hold of over here, but one of the best books i have read is 'Someone Knows my Name' - Lawrence Hill

www.bookdepository.com/Someone-Knows-My-Name-Lawrence-Hill/9780393333091?redirected=true&utm_medium=Google&utm_campaign=Base1&utm_source=UK&utm_content=Someone-Knows-My-Name&selectCurrency=GBP&w=AFC7AU9SCHG87NA8VCPK&pdg=pla-293946777986:cmp-9475164907:adg-95380234039:crv-420350915713:pos-:dev-c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItIuyvID96QIV1cqyCh0-rwsXEAsYASABEgIrZPD_BwE

AH - published in the UK as 'The Book of Negroes'
I read it when in the US...

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0552775487/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ASSV2RCSGLLA6&psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I am listening to Me and White Supremacy just now on Audible. Very thought provoking so far.

Great thread.

If you can't get hold if her book just now There's s great lecture by Dr Diangelo on White Fragility here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=45ey4jgoxeU&fbclid=IwAR0XdQ-yDFTaIg4dU71TPvrWrVfpYdakOlJxklc8KfHq3cVxsiEVrbgu1iA

Just for info POC is a term used in the states which upsets quite a lot of black people in the UK

There's a UK focused list of resources here which is very informative:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJCdO1Lb16T8e1UiHWNtGhTVprMChX4QiEuFWscQ1Q/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR0sucOj5OvdILgzh-GfduliYj7sb0tTwhRW3O1Ztaufh2sbXqeHijZqp0

🖤

Netflix also has a BLM section now:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/netflixs-new-black-lives-matter-18397096.amp