Hi friends,
The last weeks we've been feeling embarrassed, depressed, uncomfortable and very emotional. For our actions. For our reactions. For our lack of actions. As a brand that embraces and values diversity we recognise our responsibility to drive change. We're committed to do our own self-examination, educate ourselves, interrupt and dismantle racism, prejudice and discrimination.
We've decided to put together a list of books, podcasts, movies and series to educate ourselves on ANTI-RACISM, but also a list of questions to ask ourselves. Taking about race starts with self-reflection.
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“The problem is that white people see racism as conscious hate, when racism is bigger than that. Racism is a complex system of social and political levers and pulleys set up generations ago to continue working on the behalf of whites at other people’s expense, whether whites know/like it or not. Racism is an insidious cultural disease. It is so insidious that it doesn’t care if you are a white person who likes black people; it’s still going to find a way to infect how you deal with people who don’t look like you. Yes, racism looks like hate, but hate is just one manifestation. Privilege is another. Access is another. Ignorance is another. Apathy is another. And so on. So while I agree with people who say no one is born racist, it remains a powerful system that we’re immediately born into. It’s like being born into air: you take it in as soon as you breathe. It’s not a cold that you can get over. There is no anti-racist certification class. It’s a set of socioeconomic traps and cultural values that are fired up every time we interact with the world. It is a thing you have to keep scooping out of the boat of your life to keep from drowning in it. I know it’s hard work, but it’s the price you pay for owning everything.”
Scott Woods
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Books to educate ourselves on ANTI-RACISM:
Me and White Supremacy - Layla F. Saad
How to Be an Antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi
Stamped from The Beginning - Ibram X. Kendi
Assata: An Autobiography - Assata Shakur
The Condemnation of Blackness - Khalil Gibran Muhammad
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption - Bryan Stevenson
White Privilege - Shannon Sullivan
Things that Make White People Uncomfortable - Michael Bennett and Dave Zirin
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism - Robin Diangelo, PHD
Why I'm no Longer Talking to White People about Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge
So You Want to Talk about Race - Ijeoma Oluo
The Color of Law - Richard Rothstein
The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas
Black Feminist Thought - Patricia Hill Collins
Between the World and Me - Ta-Nehisi Coates
The New Jim Crow - Michelle Alexander
A Good Time For the Truth: Race in Minnesota - Sun Yung Shin
Podcasts to listen:
1619 - NY times
About Race
Seeing White
Momentum: A race forward Podcast
Code Switch
The Diversity Gap
Intersectionality Matters ! Hosted by Kimberle Crenshaw
Pod for the Cause
Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)
Films and series to watch:
13th (Netflix)
American Son (Netflix)
See you Yesterday (Netflix)
When they See Us (Netflix)
Dear White People (Netflix)
Selma
Black Power Mixtape
Clemency
Fruitvale Station
I am Not Your Negro
Just Mercy
Green Book
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
Hidden Figures
Questions to ask ourselves:
When were you first aware of your race?
How, if ever, did any adult give you help thinking about racial differences?
What childhood experiences, if any, did you have with friends or adults who were different from you in some way?
What can you do to support people of colour in your community, city, country?
What are you committed to doing outside of social media to end Racial Discrimination and Systematic Oppression?
How do you behave when you're confronted by racist behaviour?
What do you want to learn more about?
What information could you teach people?
In what ways have you ignored this behaviour in the past?
Why is it important for everyone to work towards ending this injustice?
How can you use your anti-racism knowledge to change and progress the culture in your working environment, family and friends?
Do you owe anyone an apology?
How do you handle conflict with loved ones that have racist point of view?
We'll be constantly updating the list with new recommendations and please feel free to share more with us at wecare@boogalooswimwear.com or DM on Instagram @boogaloo.swimwear