Dear Reader
In the middle of this crippling pandemic, which we know has affected a disproportionate amount of black and brown people, we’ve seen racism continue to play out in the most violent of ways. The unlawful and inhumane killing of George Floyd has led to protests — many starting peacefully that have been escalated by a police force that seems to know only brute tactics — and called us to a greater reckoning in how we deal with racism.
Changing the way things are, and have been, ultimately, comes down to voting — voting in leaders who will not allow police brutality and who will reform the justice system, and to funding — donating to organizations that have been working to include marginalized voices that have been for too long left out of the decision-making process.
As an arts and entertainment journalist, I can also help amplify the voices who are making films and music and dance and theatre about experiences that need to be shared. On a personal level, I can continue to look at myself and the biases and advantages I have, as I wrote I would, in the wake of Ahmaud Arbery’s killing. I admitted then, as I admit now, it should always be something to actively work on.
It all comes down to work. Daily work. Daily I-feel-icky-about-this, might-get-it-wrong-at-first-but-keep-going work. As author Ijeoma Oluo says: “The beauty of anti-racism is that you don't have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it's the only way forward.”
Over these past few days in particular, I’ve been listening, rather than speaking, and so, in lieu of the usual list of entertainment options, I’d like to share a few resources to help with this work:
1. First up, any good bookshelf should have works from James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, Ta-Nehisi Coates on it, particularly Between the World and Me, and also Ibrahm X Kendi’s How to be An Antiracist and So You Want to Talk About Race from Ijeoma Oluo. These authors share insightful posts on social media too, and you can also follow women like Rachel Cargyle and Brittany Packnett Cunningham, and organizations like No White Saviors, a Ugandan advocacy campaign dedicated to disrupting traditional power structures between the Western world and Africa (plus it has Miriam Makeba on its Twitter cover pic!).
2. This widely-circulated list, Anti-racism resources for white people, created by Sarah Sophie Flicker & Alyssa Klein, is filled with books, podcasts and articles that make for a solid launching pad into active commitment. There are also places to donate and support, as well as petitions to sign. Editor and sensitivity reader Mireille Cassandra Harper has also created a thread “for people who actively want to be support and be an ally right now.”
3. My friend and former interviewee on The Rundown, Alison Mariella Désir created a virtual series of fitness and mental health events, designed to advance the conversation about mental health and well being into the running and fitness space, as part of her Meaning Thru Movement collective. Led by Alison, who’s a certified mental health coach, these interactive experiences also cover mental health in marginalized communities too. Let’s Talk About Whiteness is the next session, on June 20, 8am PST / 11am EST with Dr Laura Smith, Michelle Race and Janeil Mason of Fit and Lit NYC. Previous talks include Allyship as a Verb, which you can find on the website.
4. Director Ava DuVernay’s production company Array has created Array 101, an accompaniment to the Emmy-nominated (and winning, for Jharrel Jerome as Korey Wise) When They See Us, filled with learning guides and questions for reflection.
5. Art, as we know, can enrich our understanding so much. The work of Kara Walker has been particularly eye-opening for me, as she urges us to face topics that have defined her practice —race, gender, sexuality and violence — through the ways she examines the remnants of slavery and colonialism next to contemporary moments of police killings and presidential politics. Her latest exhibition, of cut drawings from her personal archive, can be viewed here.
On Tuesday this week, the music industry will pause to reflect on the ways it can do better too.
There are many more things to do and resources to make use of. As ever, I’ll gladly take any recommendations and suggestions you may have.
Thank you for reading. In case you may have missed it, I’ll leave you with Trevor Noah’s powerful connect-the-dots between Amy Cooper, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. Worth multiple watches.
And also, Killer Mike: “And now is the time to plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize.”
Stay safe, stay sane
Your neighbour
Nadia
Stay safe. Heard you on 702. Main thing. Stay safe.