intro to White allyship: a 7 book journey

I would like to begin by noting: it is not a requirement of Black people to teach you what it means to be an ally or to teach our history. We are old enough and mature enough to seek out this information on our own. However, as an educator I was moved to create a list of books or articles that will help you along your journey during this time. 

This list is meant to be read in order, but feel free to read in whichever order you choose. 

Mis-Education of the Negro
​Dr. Carter G. Woodson

A classic read. Woodson's 1933 dissertation discusses how Black people were "culturally indoctrinated" in the education system. This stems from the systematic oppression of slaves and can be seen in the education system today. This is a great place to start, because it talks about how the Eurocentricity of America did not naturally become internalized by Africana people. It will become evident later in the list how this trickles in so many other systems in America.

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The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
Richard Rothstein

The Color of Law... Whew! This is a great read. There are people that believed that once slavery was over, America was no longer racist. Some believe that the Jim Crow Era was the last of racism in society. The Color of Law outlines how America underwrote the law to ensure racism exists. Adam Ruins Everything did a pretty consice breakdown of the topic.

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White Rage 
Carol Anderson
or
White Fragility
Robin Diangelo

White Rage creates a more historical context and White Fragility has more of a social context. Either way, they both talk about why White people are uncomfortable talking about race.The choice between these two books lies with you. For the sake of keeping the list short, I create an either/or situation. But, honestly... you should read both. If you are stuck between which one to read, it depends on your own journey. 

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Hood Feminism
​Mikki Kendall

Pushout
​Monique W. Morris

Sing a Rhythm, Dance a Blues
​Monique W. Morris

Once again... I couldn't choose (it's the Libra in me). However, this time I couldn't choose because intersectionality is a thing. This stop on our book journey talks about Black Womanhood. I couldn't sum up Black Womanhood with just one book. So, here are three. Hood Feminism talks about how Blackness intersects with Womanhood, through the lens of Feminism. Pushout and Sing a Rhythm, Dance a Blues are both by Monique W. Morris. They both hover around the topic of Black girls in education. One talks more about how we oppress Black girls, while the other focuses on liberating them.

​Race and Crime
Shaun L. Gabbidon & Helen Taylor Greene
or
The New Jim Crow
Michelle Alexander

I know. I did it again. I swear, this is the last time... Probably. THIS time, I chose two because these are both super dense. Race & Crime is technically a text book. It's pretty lengthy but is probably easier to digest because it's meant for a classroom. The book covers all things crime, through the lens of race. ​The New Jim Crow focuses on the Mass Incarceration of Black people due to the purposeful word choice in the 13th amendment. Michelle Alexander has a lot of videos on youtube supporting her work.

From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation
Keeanga-Tamahtta Taylor

From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation seems to be a little less known, compared to the other books in this list. However, it is probably the most relevant during this new era of rebellion. This book is a great conclusion  punctuation mark to this book journey. It tells us how this current-age Civil Rights Movement aims to fight systematic racism, through a restructuring of the criminal justice system.


There is a TedTalk on the topic as well.

​How to Have Impossible Conversations:
A Very Practical Guide
Peter Boghossian &
James Lindsay

If From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation is the conclusion, this is the epilogue. How to Have Impossible Conversations one has very little to do with the actual topic of race. However, I made this the last book because I have to note that educating yourself is not the end of the journey.  You have to take your new knowledge and be active in combating oppression. One way to do this, is to educate your network. Combat your racist Uncle's ideology at Thanksgiving. Correct your Grandma when she calls the new neighbors a derogatory term.

This book prepares you to take all the information you internalized from the other books, and present it in a way that the people in your circle are receptive to your perspective.