This guide is intended to provide resources to those in solidarity with the mass protests in response to police brutality against Black Americans, currently centered around the murders by police of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Tony McDade. This guide assumes a commitment to the statement that Black Lives Matter--this is not up for debate.
A wealth of information, resources, and calls-to-action have been swirling on social media platforms, and this guide is intended to document and organize that information for future consultation. Recent history has demonstrated that informal information networks (such as social media) can better serve the needs for dissemination and amplification of activist voices than traditional news networks. As such, consideration is imperative (as it always is) in analyzing and contextualizing these resources.
This guide has been compiled by William McHenry with contributions from the librarians and CEI, and will be updated regularly as conditions change; if you have suggestions, edits, or questions, please direct them to library@simons-rock.edu.
Below you will find reading lists, viewing lists, articles, Tweet threads, and reflection questions to assist in your own consciousness-raising around racism, white supremacy, police violence, and activist tactics. Interrogating our inherent biases and unlearning internalized white supremacy takes time, effort, discomfort, and resolve--some of the information below may be challenging, difficult, or provocative. This work is never-ending and you do not get a reward.
Reading Lists, Viewing Lists and Syllabi
Anti-racist reading list from Ideal Bookshelf, illustrated by Jane Mount.
History of Racial Violence and Police Violence in America
Police Abolition and Decarceration
By Any Means Necessary: Rioting, Social Media and Diversity of Tactics
Environmental Racism and Climate Change
The links below will lead you to resource guides developed by anti-racist activists, and each includes reading lists, action items, directories, etc. These are included here to consolidate all of the labor of these activists, and to provide information for those who would like to go deeper.
This section contains solidarity action items that go beyond basic performative allyship. Listen to calls-to-action from Black activists and organizers, and be prepared to be "called in" and course-correct. Action takes courage and the humility to acknowledge missteps.
While sharing information may assist in consciousness-raising, think twice before (re)posting images or video of violence against Black people, as this can be triggering and voyeuristic.
Resources for Non-Black Allies/Accomplices/Co-Conspirators/Comrades
Here you will find directories of bail funds, Black-run organizations, Black-owned businesses, and mutual aid networks. These are listed here to help you determine how to best leverage any material privilege you may have.
Here you will find resources and considerations for protesting in person. Utilizing our bodies in protest is both a material and symbolic act of solidarity. However, physically protesting is not always an accessible option, especially now with the spread of the coronavirus; you may wish to consider other methods of demonstrating solidarity while maintaining your health.
As you will have noticed from the news, many protests have flared into violence and police suppression. Understand that this is always a possibility when engaging in public demonstration, and trust your gut--weigh your commitment to demonstrate against your personal sense of safety. There will be more demonstrations in the future.
