Reading as An Act of Protest
Washington, U.S.A. (Photo by Vlad Tchompalov)
“The only weapon that we have in our hands this evening is the weapon of protest.”
*****
Literary Activism IS My PROTEST WORK
Sometimes we march in the streets.
Sometimes we feed the homeless.
Sometimes we provide community programing for children and families.
Sometimes we read and learn about our history so we can march and feed and provide even better.
Protest work is collective and we all have our part in it. My protest may not look like your protest; but when we take action to change the injustices we see, we have to do the actions we can. The prolific speaker and author Toni Morrison said, " correct what you can; learn from what you can't." My protest is to learn, grow, teach, and correct what I can.
My protest work is INCLUSIVE. My liberation work is for the benefit all.
The life of Black women, MY LIFE, is inherently political and I write about the things that most affect me. My philosophy is Womanist in nature and my activism is rooted in equity and libration. My content will always reflect the fight against racism, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny.
Post in “Activism”
Other Resources
Individuals of Note
Lesile Mac
Angela Peoples
Feminista Jones
Roxane Gay
Organizations/Comprehensive Sites
Equal Justice Initiative (An organization dedicated to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment, while fighting for human rights through racial justice and equality)
Citizenship and Social Justice (Dedicated to social justice and civic engagement, it's the personal website of educator and writer Jon Greenberg.)
INCITE! ("a nation-wide network of radical feminists of color working to end violence against women, gender non-conforming, and trans people of color, and our communities.")
RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, based in Texas, gives free and low-cost legal services to immigrant children, families, and refugees in Texas.)
Books For Understanding RACIAL InJUSTICE
Articles to Fight White Supremacy (Race and Racism)
We Need to Make Proactive Accountability Regular Praxis in Organizing and Beyond
7 Things Black People Want Their Well-Meaning White Friends to Know
Curriculum for White Americans to Educate Themselves on Race and Racism–from Ferguson to Charleston
One Powerful Way to Institutionalize Racial Justice in Our Schools (Hint: It's more Ethnic Studies Classes)
11-Step Guide to Understanding Race, Racism, and White Privilege (Comprehensive article with links and videos)
Decolonize Your Reading
It's Time to Diversify and Decolonise Our Schools' Reading Lists
1000 Black Girl Books (a resource guide lead by Marley Dias)
The Lemonade Syllabus (A list of books, movies, and music to understand the lives of Black women)
A Seat at the Table Syllabus (Centering young Black women, this collection features books, music, art, and interviews. Complied by the Anne Julia Cooper Center.)
The Black Panther Syllabus (The Civil Rights Organization and the Black Power Movement)
The Black Panther Syllabus (The 2018 Marvel Movie)
I know this list is far from complete. It’s a starting point and a constant work in progress.
Have a suggestion to add to my #Resist list?
Contact me at antoinette@blackandbookish.com.
*****
I Can’t Believe It’s Been Two Years.
His death changed my life in ways I never thought were possible. He became the catalyst to get out and work toward the future we talked about. Activists have been doing this work for decades, but this was the first time I was able to expand my work outside of the computer screen and into the streets.