Since everything with George Floyd happened, I’ve been trying to educate myself more on racism and black oppression. Which is why, today, I want to share books, tv shows and documentaries that you can watch to educate yourself on everything to do with race. Some of it fiction, some of it non-fiction. They are all equally important.
I have not seen/read all of these but I am planning to. If you have any other recommendations, please share them in the comments.
Fiction
The Hate U Give – a young black girl sees her best friend get shot and has to deal with the aftermath.
Dear Martin – about a black student under attack in the media after he and his friend anger a white off-duty cop who starts shooting.
On the Come Up – a young black girl wants to be a rapper, and her first video goes viral. For all the wrong reasons.
The Bluest Eye – a young black girl struggles with the body she has and wishes for the blonde hair and blue eyes that she thinks will help her fit in
Non-fiction
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race – a history of racism in the UK
Me and White Supremacy – learn to recognise your privilege
White fragility – why white people don’t like talking about racism
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir
Documentaries
13th – the 13th amendment in America prohibits slavery, “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted”. This loophole has consistently been used as a way to maintain racial hierarchy since the civil war.
Injustice – this documentary focuses on the struggles for justice by the families of people who have died in police custody.
Explained: The Racial Wealthgap – only 16 minutes long, first season of Explained. This episode looks into how slavery, housing discrimination and systemic inequality can cause a racial wealth gap.
Blacks Brittanica (1978) – examines racism through the lens of black, working-class Brits and includes interviews with several black activists. Used to be censored in the US and banned in the UK.
Films and tv-series
Just Mercy – based on the true story of a lawyer and social justice activist on death row
When They See Us – five young Black men falsely accused and prosecuted for the sexual assault of a white woman (based on a true story).
The Hate U Give – same story as the book, just as impactful.
12 Years a Slave – based on Solomon Northup’s memoirs of being born a free man then sold into slavery in 1841
Dear White People – follows a group of students of colour at a (mostly) white Ivy League school. They face and deal with cultural biases, injustice, activism and politics.
Seven seconds – a series about the death of a 15-year-old African American boy in Jersey City that sets off a police cover-up and a search for the truth.
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker – learn about the life of America’s first female self-made millionaire who overcame hostility, including post-slavery racial biases, to revolutionise black haircare, and bring about social change.
The Sun is Also A Star – a love story that also depicts the struggle immigrants face in an often hostile environment.
Blindspotting – Ex-convict Colin wants to avoid prison, but the reckless behaviour of his white best friend Miles doesn’t make it easy. Early on in the story, Colin sees a white police officer shoot a black man without provocation. The film shows the mental toll it takes on him, and how it almost comes between his and Miles’s friendship.
The links in this post are affiliate links. Whatever money I earn from those links, will be donated to the Black Vision Collective.
Wonderful selections of books and movies. Thank you for sharing them!
Beautiful! I shared it on my twitter too! This is indeed very educative!
With the things going on these books are really which we should read, kids should read.
Thank you for spreading awareness and sharing to us about these books, I agree that we must be informed about racism and why it should completely disappear from this world.
These books are so apt for the current day situation! sharing this list with my friends
This is extremely important to know right now. Many readers should spend time reading this books. I hope this will change their mindset.
I am sharing sharing sharing!!! Everyone should be reading these resources, everyone. Thanks a lot.
Great list of books! Many people need to be educated further on what’s happening in the world. Thanks for seeing the importance of this all.
This is a great list of resources for current events in the United States (and around the world), thank you for offering these new ideas.
Sharing this information especially in the current time is really important..Thanks for sharing this..it is timely post and much inspiring…
I would love to check out these books. I love educating myself on what happening in the world.
thank you for sharing it. Living in different country where there are very few people of color at all, it is very important to me to have a hand on proper resources to educate myself
These are good selections. I saw Seven Seconds. I couldn’t stop watching until the end. So sad.
what a great way to contribute to the movement. simple yet effective. hope it’ll get better in the coming days
Sharing info about BLM is SOOO important, I also did a blog post and sharing info is super important and much needed.
This is a great list of books and movies that you have shared. Thank you for your awareness.
Things have improved a lot during time but there is still a lot of room for improvement 🙂