Below is a guest blog written by a dear friend. I love the very last link she offers and have already been diving in:
Despite the results of the election, many of us are privileged to be (likely) less affected than others. For many non-whites, this election doesn’t so much signal a change as just yet more of the status quo. To me, this election showed that those of us who are white need to step up more, and one way we can do that is be more informed.
I’ve read a lot of books this year (admittedly, few were about being a better ally). Two stand out:
Between the Word and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates: Coates is one of the most widely-read authors on race today (and a comic book author), and this book pulls no punches in outlining his view on the issues he faced growing up as well as his h0pes and dreams for his young son.
The Immortal Live of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot: One of the biggest issues facing race relations is when helping isn’t really helping. This book talks about how science used a tissue sample from a young black woman for medical research of all kinds — but without the full consent of the woman or her family. While taking a small tissue sample might seem innocuous, the effect it had on Lacks’ family was enormous (not to mention that in the end, one of the results the family really wanted was not so much money as better access to medial care for themselves!).
Too busy to read a whole book? Here is a list of essays that might be a good place to start. You don’t have to read them all at once.
citizenstacy.com 