Society needs to do better: Anti-Racist resources for anyone wanting to do the work

The Black Lives Matter movement and recent tragic news stories have galvanized many of us to start asking important questions: How can we dismantle systemic racism, in our societies and within ourselves? How can we do better? How can we help? How can we ensure the momentum continues? 

In a Racist society, it’s not enough to be non-racist – we must be ANTI-RACIST

There are many things that we, as a society, need to do. It will require us to do the work. Long-term. Below are some educational and actionable resources to help heal, do the work, undo, and unlearn racism.

8 Black-Led LGBTQIA+ Organisations you need to know about and support:

The Pride movement would not exist were it not for the activism of Black, LGBTQIA+ people. Marsha P. Johnson, a black queer activist, was one of the most vocal leaders of the 1969 Stonewall Riots – widely recognized as a catalyst for the gay rights movement. The sexuality movement has always been, and continues to be, led by the Black community. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to remember the movement’s roots and acknowledge that sexual wellness is inherently connected to racial justice. 

*A huge thank you to @RaquellWilis and @pfpicardi for sharing this information*

• SNaPCo – Snap4freedom.org: Builds power of Black trans and queer people to force systemic divestment from the prison industrial complex and invest in community support. Follow @snap4freedom. Donate here
• Black AIDS Institute: Working to end the Black HIV epidemic through policy, advocacy, and high-quality direct HIV services. Follow @blackaids. Donate here
• LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund: Posts bail for LGBTQ+ people held in jail or immigrant detention and raises awareness of the epidemic of LGBTQ+ over-incarceration. Follow @lgbtqfreedomfund. Donate here
• House of GG: Creating safe and transformative spaces for the community to heal, and nurturing them into tomorrow’s leaders, focussing on trans women of colour in the South. Follow @missmajor1. Donate here. Shop Merch here
• Trans Justice Funding Project: Community-led funding initiative to support grassroots trans justice groups run by and for trans people. Follow @transjusticefundingproject. Donate here
• The Okra Project: Collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home-cooked meals and resources to the community. Follow @theokraproject. Donate here
• Youth Breakout: Works to end the criminalization of LGBTQ youth in New Orleans to build a safer and more just community. Follow @youthbreakout. Donate here
• Trans Cultural District: The world’s first ever legally recognized trans district, which aims to stabilise and economically empower the trans community. Follow @youthbreakout. Donate here

Anti-Racist Organisations to support and donate to:

Decolonising Contraception - Sexual health and reproductive justice organisation led by Black and POC (donate here)

The Bail Project- Works with public defenders and community organizations to provide assistance paying bail, court date reminders, transportation, and other support to low-income individuals in the US

United Families and Friends Campaign – a coalition of those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody, supports others in a similar situation

Check Your Privilege - A resource community helping people dismantle their relationship with oppression

Hope Not Hate - an antiracist and antifascist advocacy group in the U.K. that focuses its efforts on community politics and stifling extremism.

Gal-dem - A media publication led by women and non-binary people of colour

Black History Walks - Educational platform on Black UK History

UK Black Pride - Official Pride celebrating LGBTQIA+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle-Eastern & Latin American heritage and their friends & lovers.

Black Cultural Archives - national heritage center dedicated to collecting, preserving, and celebrating the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain.

Equal Justice Initiative – Organisation working to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment and racial inequality

African Communities Together- “an organization of African immigrants fighting for civil rights, opportunity, and a better life for our families here in the U.S. and worldwide.”

Self-Care & Support Resources for Black People:

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective - a nonprofit collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists, and activists who are "committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities."

The Safe Place App - designed to reach black users with information about mental health and self-care tips and resources. The app is free and available at the Apple Store and Google Play.

Black Women’s Health Collective - This nonprofit organization was founded by black women to "help protect and advance the health and wellness of Black women and girls." The site includes information about physical health as well as a quiz to determine your stress level. 

Therapy for Black Girls - A podcast and online community and private support group for Black girls and women to discuss their mental health

Dr Jennifer Mullan (@decolonizingtherapy) a psychologist creating a dialogue around the wellbeing of Queer Indigenous, Black and Brown People of Colour.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Among African Americans - Provides helpful statistics, looks at the differences in substance abuse patterns across the black population, and treatment options to consider. 

A Guide to Addiction and Recovery for African Americans - African Americans may experience more barriers to treatment than other groups, this guide can help one become aware of payment options and how to find providers who understand the issues unique to this population. 

Black Underrepresentation in Addiction Treatment - Discusses the idea of ‘underrepresentation’ in more detail looking at common barriers, legal biases and the importance of cultural competency.

Treatment Directories:

When searching for a culturally competent therapist, try the following directories:  Association of Black Psychologists, Inclusive Therapists, LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color, National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, and Psychology Today Directory of African American Therapists. 
 

Anti-Racist Educational Resources

Books:

Me and White Supremacy (a workbook) by Layla F. Saad
When They Call You A Terrorist by BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors and Asha Bandele
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race  by Renni Eddo-Lodge
This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell & Aurelia Durand
Natives by Akala
Don’t Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri
The Space Between Black & White by Esuantsiwa Jane Goldsmith
How to Be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
Women, Race & Class by Angela Y. Davis
White Fragility - Robin DiAngelo
Check Your Privilege: Live into the Work by Myisha T Hill
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates 
How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community by Mia Birdsong
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Podcasts:

Combing the Roots - Ally Henny
Hoodrat to Headwrap - Ericka Hart & Ebony Donnley
Sex Ed in Color - Cameron Glover
Seeing White - Scene on Radio

Films and TV Shows:

13th - Ava Duvernay (on Netflix)
I Am Not Your Negro – Raoul Peck
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson - David France (on Netflix)
When They See Us - Ava Duvernay (on Netflix)
Just Mercy – film based on the life and work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson. Free for the month of June.
Dear White People - Justin Simien
Clemency - Chinonye Chukwu
Blacks Britannica – 1978 banned film on immigration and racism. Free on YouTube
Do the Right Thing (1989) – Spike Lee
TED Talks to help you understand Racism in America
The Danger of a Single Story - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Path to Ending Systemic Racism in the US - Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, Rashad Robinson, Dr. Bernice King, Anthony D. Romero
Racism Has a Cost for Everyone - Heather C. McGhee
An Interview with the Founders of Black Lives Matter - Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi

Instagram accounts to follow:

@monachalabi
@ihartericka
@eji_org
@ijeomaoluo
@ckyourprivilege
@zora
@jemelehill
@jennydeluxe
@privtoprog
@rachel.cargle
@ohhappydani
@attnwhitepeople
@mspackyetti 
@antiracismctr
@ibramxk 
@iamrachelricketts
@laylafsaad
@nowhitesaviors
@kendrick38
@mattmcgorry
@allaboutafya
@snap4freedom
@blackaids
@transgenderdistrict
@lgbtqfreedomfund
@missmajor1
@transjusticefundingproject
@theokraproject
@youthbreakout

These are some of the resources that the Je Joue team has been sharing and using to educate ourselves over these past weeks. This list is by no means complete or exhaustive, and we welcome any and all recommendations in the comments below.

In love and solidarity,

The Je Joue Team xXx