White People, Welcome To Race 101
This is a re-formatted article from our digital issue, The Unedit Vol. 1. You can read this article, along with over 40 other articles, editorials, and more by purchasing your copy via Issuu.
There are few topics that white people shy away from like they do race. And, if we’re being honest, white people are clueless when it comes down to it. Now, if you’re white, read that previous sentence and thought to yourself, hey! I’m not clueless! – then I’d strongly advise you to keep reading. Living with white privilege means that life as you know it is unaffected by racial prejudice; you can go on about your business quite happily without ever having to really worry about it. But should you be? The answer: hell no!
Why? I hear some of you say. Well, by choosing to opt out of what makes us feel uncomfortable – which, for some, is even the mere acknowledgement that racism still exists in this day and age – we actually abuse our white privilege and further reinforce racial power structures. In reality, it should be our responsibility to be
knocking those structures down. It’s a common misconception amongst white people too, that – in their own ignorance – it’s down to the marginalised folk to play the role of the teacher as well as the oppressed. Newsflash: when it comes to being educated on the various intersections of society, it’s your job. Popular culture won’t change the way that race is experienced globally, or how it’s understood on a wider scale, but it’s a start. Whether it be picking up a book, watching a film or documentary, or even listening to discussions about race, all white people can do their bit to educate themselves about the lived experiences of people of colour, both past and present. So, if you want to be able to learn (or unlearn, perhaps), and take the time to address your own internalised prejudices, we’ve got a brilliant selection of resources for you.
REQUIRED READING:
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
If you’re looking for a perfectly-rounded summary of racism, both home and away, plus thought-provoking tidbits that will be sure to smack you straight in your privileged parts, Reni Eddo-Lodge’s Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race is a must-read. Delving into her own experiences, modern-day racism, and the UK slave trade, she covers all bases in this brilliant page-turner. Whether it’s your first dive into the topic of race or your thirtieth, you’ll be glad you picked it up.
The Good Immigrant edited by Nikesh Shukla
This compilation of essays explores the experiences of 21 BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) writers who share their stories about navigating society in Britain. The book discusses really important themes, each from personal perspectives, ranging from the representation of the generic South Asian family on TV, to the pressure of changing your name to something ‘whiter’ to be accepted. Its success prompted The Good Immigrant USA, America’s counterpart which shares powerful stories from first and second generation
immigrants navigating being othered across the pond.
EXTRA CREDIT:
Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis | Find your copy
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In The Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander | Find your copy
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson | Find your copy
How To Be Less Stupid About Race by Crystal M. Fleming | Find your copy
White Privilege: The Myth of a Post-Racial Society by Kalwant Bhopal | Find your copy
Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging by Afua Hirsch | Find your copy
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo | Find your copy
So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo | Find your copy
REQUIRED WATCHING:
13th (2016)
Named after the American Constitution’s Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States and involuntary servitude (with the exception of those punished as a result of criminal conviction), 13th explores the “intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States”. The incredible Netflix documentary – directed by powerhouse Ava DuVernay – examined the suppression of African Americans through history, the criminalisation of drugs that affected more minority communities, and the mass incarceration of people of colour. Critically acclaimed, 13th was nominated for and won countless awards, including an Oscar nomination for the Best Documentary Feature and winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
When They See Us (2019)
The latest of DuVernay’s projects on Netflix, When They See Us tells the stories of Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, and Raymond Santana, the five teen suspects of the Central
Park jogger case of 1989. The mini-series documents the experiences of each of the boys as they are convicted of the rape and murder of a white woman – a crime that none of them had any part in. The
episodes address the pressure put on the prosecution to convict suspects, racially-motivated police brutality, and how five innocent children were depicted as monsters and imprisoned despite having
no evidence to link them to the crime. The four-part series ends when the true assailant confesses, and their convictions are overturned, but the scars still remain. The series follows with a special, Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now, saw both the cast and the exonerated five sit down for interviews.
EXTRA CREDIT:
Dear White People (2014 film and 2017– series) | Watch film here | Stream series on Netflix
Hidden Figures (2016) | Watch here
Fruitvale Station (2013) | Stream on Netflix
12 Years A Slave (2013) | Stream on Netflix
Imperium (2016) | Watch here
Beatriz At Dinner (2017) | Watch here
Do The Right Thing (1989) | Watch here
REQUIRED LISTENING:
About Race
If either reading’s not your thing, or you just want to soak up as much as possible, About Race is a great addition to your podcast faves. Hosted by Reni Eddo-Lodge, author of Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race, this podcast discusses a number of subjects under the umbrella of race and racism, and takes them a step further from her best-selling book. Episode topics include intersectional feminism, the far right and left of the white working class, political blackness, and the concept of being woke.
Code Switch
Code Switch is the podcast brought to you by a team of journalists of colour, tackling conversations around race and identity that impact the United States and beyond. Using their lived experiences and their work, Code Switch looks to the past, present, and future, talking about how race impacts communities, how it has shaped history, and how the current affairs of state plays a role in the sociopolitical climate.
EXTRA CREDIT:
All My Relations | Listen here
The Stoop | Listen here
Identity Politics | Listen here
The Nod | Listen here
2 Dope Queens | Listen here
Sooo Many White Guys | Listen here
Still Processing | Listen here
