by Amanda Jane Snyder
Following a monumental year for Black Liberation, Black History Month may look a little different this year. Or at least that is my hope.
Unfortunately, 2020 was the year that most white people even became aware of the deep imbedded racism that exists everyday in our country. "Everyone is a little bit racist", the truth that we hear from the popular musical Avenue Q. It's not enough to NOT be racist, we must continue active Anti-Racism as apart of a life long journey.
As a white person living in today's America, it is my duty to educate myself and continue the conversation with other white people so that we can take further steps towards dismantaling systemic racism in this country. Knowledge is power. Aknowledging my privelege is power. Anti-racism is a life long practice and it is never ending. Many of the early adapted systems imposed on the people of this country have created such deeply imbedded beliefs that we must constantly question and challenge them. It is a life long practice, so what better way to spend Black History Month than to continue this practice.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate our fellow Black Americans and to do so we must educate ourselves on their history and OUR history, and how we got to where we are today so that we can make progress towards a better future for all. All lives will only matter when Black Lives Matter.
These are books I recommend for Anti-Racism.
Books for Anti-Racism and Dismantling White Supremacy
1. Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
2. How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
3. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeomo Oluo
4. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
5. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
6. Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
7. Women, Race, & Class by Angela Davis
8. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
9. Ni**er by Dick Gregory
10. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
Do you have any other book recommendations? I'd love to hear them! Let me know through the comments below.
Amanda Jane Snyder is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and Mindset Coach living in Brooklyn, NY. She is an artist, an activist, and has been vegan for 4 years. She specializes in Strength and Conditioning for Actors, Singers and Dancers.