If you are educating yourself on anti-racism, White Fragility by Robin Diangelo is a great place to start, but don't let it be the only book you read on this topic. This book will cause you to reflect on your past behavior and it will feel uncomfortable. Push past that feeling and re-read parts so that they really sink in. This book is it is the first of many books on anti-racism that I plan on reading. My reading strategy was to read it twice, once to take in the material and a second to digest what I read while highlighting/tagging/taking notes on parts that stuck out to me. This worked for me and I was able to take away a lot, reflect, and immediately implement the advice.
I highly recommend all white folks read White Fragility and do so with an open mind. Initially, you will feel defensive, uncomfortable, guilty, probably even angry, but push past those feelings and keep going. It is so necessary for us to do this work while not burdening the Black community by expecting them to educate us. I wish I had started this work sooner and did not let it get this far before I acknowledged there is an issue and that I have internal work to do. But alas, I am here and we have to start somewhere.
As I mentioned, this is not the only book I am reading to educate myself on anti-racism. Below are other books that I am currently reading/plan to read to further my education. I highly recommend you add some of these to your TBR. If you know of others I should add to my list, please comment below!
How to Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram Kendi
Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad (currently reading with my work Diversity and Inclusion Advisory team)
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (currently listening on audio)
Heavy by Kiese Laymon
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram Kendi
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Evicted by Matthew Desmond
Happy reading and happy learning!
Mel
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