Category: Resources

Social media are awash with reading guides, videos, podcasts and trainings for white people seeking to educate themselves about racial justice, anti-racism, the Movement for Black Lives, abolition, settler-colonialism, white supremacy, white privilege, intersectionality, and generally concepts around race, ethnicity, and racism that we all will benefit from studying more carefully. Before going on: one small but important thing you can do if you’re not already is start following more BIPOC people on social media (note: following and listening! Not arguing with or asking to help you be a better you). With that in mind, we thought it might be helpful for SURJ Worcester members to start sharing just a few suggestions here of places to start — there are many more to continue with — and hopefully find a group of people to share and discuss with through SURJ.

• How to be an Antiracist by Ibam X. Kendi [BOOK]
• White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo [BOOK]
• Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad [BOOK]
• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• Abolition Can’t Wait: An Online Teach-In with #8toAbolition [WEBINAR: Premiers June 25th] (Haymarket is also making available many excellent teach-ins via their youtube channel, such as The Fire This Time with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Marc Lamont Hill)
• “Why Now, White People?” by Gene Demby, NPR’s Codeswitch [PODCAST] (see also their list of places to start)
• Is Prison Necessary? Ruth Wilson Gilmore Might Change Your Mind by Rachel Kushner [LONG ARTICLE]
• Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police by Mariame Kaba [SHORT ARTICLE]

We will be back soon with more! In the meantime, Racial Equity Tools provides this resource (with links to many useful SURJ pieces).

We (SURJ Coordinators Team) are trying to develop a mechanism so that folks of color can more safely offer us feedback, whether it’s positive or critical or curious. We know we have not done this effectively in the past. This Accountability & Feedback form is our first NEW try at something like this. We ask some questions, and there is open space to write. The form does not collect your email or any demographic or contact information you do not offer us. This form is up on our website, so it is accessible anytime. We will share it here periodically, as well as send it out in our newsletter. 

If you are white and you have feedback for us, please email us at SURJ.Worcester@gmail.com instead! Thank you!