Books, Articles, & More
Before I began my Masters, I co-founded and worked on the Essex Decolonise the Curriculum campaign. This campaign started with a survey I designed to understand students’ academic experience at the University of Essex. The need for this survey emerged from discrepancies in student satisfaction and representation in the curriculum and overall learning experience.
Through this campaign and the work of the Tackling Racism Group, of which I was a part, the university has now allocated a suite of resources to support this project and the advancement of BAME scholars in higher education. Whilst working on this theme, I assisted Dr Hannah Gibson, Dr Colin Reilly, and Dr Tracey Costley on “Decolonising the Curriculum | The Work”, a project funded by the Global Challenge Research Fund and partnered with scholars from South Africa. This project was a continuation of the initial campaign at Essex, and through this, I was involved in organising a series of focus groups and webinars on decolonising the curriculum.
Here, you can find some of my must-read books, articles, music, and more on the topic.
Race and Racism
(1) How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Have you ever heard the phrase “I’m not racist but..”? While some people would think that the oppositive of being a racist is not to be one, Kendi here argues that anti-racism is the actual opposite, and he does this while looking into history, law, ethics and more.
(2) Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
This book is excellent if you want to know more about how self-segregation can sometimes be a coping mechanism for black people.
(3) Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
To understand what it means to be a person of color in modern-day Britain, the author offers an important view into that experience. This book provides a new and contemporary foundation for how we may all talk about racism.
(4) I Can’t Breathe by H.E.R
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-1Bf_XWaPE&ab_channel=H.E.R.
(5) Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo
Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn19xvfoXvk&ab_channel=FocusFeatures
(6) Falling between the Cracks: What Diversity Means for Black Women in Higher Education by Cecily Jones
This article asks, what are the implications of this shift for black and minority ethnic women academics in higher education in the United Kingdom today? Is it possible for higher education institutions and other employers to initiate a diversity policy that not only recognises differences, but at the same time ensures the delivery of policies and practices that challenge inequality?
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2304/pfie.2006.4.2.145
(7) Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
The woman’s place of power within each of us is neither white nor surface; it is dark, it is ancient, and it is deep. This book contains a collection of essays and spechees that focuses on the author identity as a black woman, lesbian, activist, mother and more.
Link: https://afroribooks.co.uk/products/sister-outsider-by-audre-lorde?_pos=1&_sid=6ffd5038e&_ss=r
(8) Women, Race & Class by Angela Y. Davis
Ranging from the age of slavery to contemporary injustices, this groundbreaking history of race, gender and class inequality by the radical political activist Angela Davis offers an alternative view of female struggles for liberation.
Link: https://afroribooks.co.uk/products/women-race-class-by-angela-y-davis?_pos=1&_sid=6f41cce72&_ss=r
(9) Holler If Ya Hear Me by 2Pac
(10) I Can by NAS
(11) Hidden Figures by Director Theodore Melfi
"The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program". The movie is not fully accurate to what happened during the time but is worth watching. It is based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book “Hidden Figures”.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8xHq6dfAo&ab_channel=20thCenturyStudios
(12) Black and British: A Forgotten History by by David Olusoga
This book is great if you want to know more about British Black History. Although Brittain didn’t have the formal segregation that we associate with the US or South Africa, this book will show you how the lived experiences of Black people in the UK have been shaped throughout time. Not the easiest read so be mentally prepared for this one.
(13) Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism by Safiya Umoja Noble
This book “challenges the idea that search engines like Google offer an equal playing field for all forms of ideas, identities, and activities”. A great book to learn more about the social problem of data discrimination.
(14) The thing around your neck by Chimamanda Ngozi
This book give a great description of life as a Nigerian immigrant in the US and everyday racism. A really good read.
(15) Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
White feminists often fail to see how race, class, sexual orientation and disability intersect with gender. How can feminists stand in solidarity as a movement when there is a distinct likelihood that some women are oppressing others?
(16) If Beale Street Could Talk by Director by Barry Jenkins
I quite like this movie as it depict a love story surrounded by the harsh realties of being a Black man in America and all that it comes with.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQXSforT_qQ&t=1s&ab_channel=MovieclipsTrailers
(17) When They See Us by Director Ava DuVernay
I really couldn’t get past the first two episodes as it was extremely hard for me to watch. This movie is about the five young black men that were wrongfully accused of rape and spent years fighting for their innocence.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNOGQSkDDqo&ab_channel=Netflix
(18) The Angry Black Girl by Isra Hirsi
An amazing speech on being an “activist” and advocating for black and brown voices in predominately white spaces and the “angry black girl” stereotype. A must watch.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHvH6ArQV4o&ab_channel=TEDxTalks