4 Resources for Understanding Race and White Privilege
In the wake of the mass protests of summer 2020, both in the US and internationally, many people showed interest in educating themselves on matters of race and white privilege. Many white people, hoping to be better allies, wanted to know where they can turn for commentary, information and critical theories.
The protests may have died down, but the thirst for knowledge and perspective should not. Being a feminist in 2021 means learning more about intersectionality – the intersecting struggles of women, People of Colour, LGBTQ+ folks and neurodiverse people.
If you count yourself among the many people who continue to want to learn, this article is for you. In it, let’s explore four great resources for understanding race and white privilege, each from a different medium. Feel free to also check out the narratives from black voices on the Doe if you are looking for bite-sized stories packed full of information and unbias perspectives.
Recommended Book: White Fragility
Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility came out in 2018, but it skyrocketed in popularity in 2020. Ever-relevant, it explores the state of systemic racism in the United States and how white people often unconsciously wield their privilege. Its title refers to defensive techniques used by white people when faced with questions of race inequality.
It’s unflinchingly honest and clearly communicated – an excellent read for those who want to delve deeply into the subject. It has its detractors, each of whom makes valid counterarguments, but its value as a popular work of cultural criticism is undeniable.
Recommended Show: Red Table Talk
Red Table Talk, the talk show helmed by Jada Pinkett Smith alongside her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris and daughter, Willow Smith, tackles a host of issues. Sometimes, it addresses specific issues, like the college admissions scandal (in a buzzworthy recent episode featuring Olivia Jade.) Occasionally, it features probing celebrity interviews.
And sometimes, the three women go big, discussing race and gender issues in an engaging, acute fashion. In particular, two episodes – entitled “How Gun Violence Affects Women” and “Black America in Crisis” – do a fantastic job spotlighting issues of race and privilege. The latter episode features legendary Civil Rights leader Dr. Angela Davis. All episodes are free to stream.
Recommended Series: When They See Us
Ava DuVernay’s filmmaking often holds a magnifying glass to issues of race and white privilege. 13th, her 2016 documentary for Netflix, is a stirring, thought-provoking look at race inequality and the prison system. Her new series, When They See Us, follows up that examination.
A dramatic retelling of the true story of the Central Park Five, When They See Us directly addresses white privilege and Black persecution from law enforcement.
Recommended Podcast: Yo, Is This Racist?
Balancing laugh-out-loud humour with clear-eyed takes on racism isn’t easy, but Tawny Newsome and Andrew Ti pull it off in Yo, Is This Racist. Centred on listener-submitted queries on whether something is or isn’t racist (spoiler: it often is,) the podcast is warm, entertaining and incisive.
It might not be as probing as the resources above, but not everything has to be. Here are two People of Colour educating people (and, crucially, getting paid to do so) while cracking each other up. If you are searching for resources to understand race inequality and white privilege, check out the titles above. By no means a complete list (nowhere close, in fact,) they constitute a great starting place.
