EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
On Racism
Here at Crave, we value diverse stories, voices, and opinions and our hearts break for the continued discrimination demonstrated against people of color, including the murder of innocent black citizens. We stand with the values of Black Lives Matter, and we want to make sure that you, our friends and supporters, understand why.
"Our lives begin to end the day that we remain silent about things that matter"-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our country was founded on racism and slavery. Many of the luxuries that our country enjoys today exist because our country has exploited and abused people of color. While some advances for equity were made during the Civil Rights movement, our country still needs to address the social and systemic racism present in areas such as police departments and our criminal justice system. It is only by taking the time to educate ourselves, to acknowledge the racism present in ourselves as a result of our education system, to acknowledge the privilege that white citizens possess, and to take action against the injustices demonstrated in our society that we can help to right this wrong.
As a theatre company led by two white women, we acknowledge that we do not have the right to tell the stories of oppressed minorities without their extensive input; we plan to do as much as we can to make sure that the stories of underrepresented populations are told the way that they want to tell them. As humanists, it is our responsibility to produce theatre that is culturally accurate and does not contribute to the continuation of racist practices. We must stand up for what is right, and we plan to practice what we preach.
We go into this knowing we have been given a whitewashed education that has intentionally written out black, indigenous, and LGBTQ+ history. Because history is told by the victor, the public education system of the United States has glorified a number of historical figures who have committed unspeakable crimes against groups who have a protected status. In order to be better allies and community activists, it is important that we take the time to educate ourselves, and we invite you to join us in this pursuit.
Below is a list of resources you can turn to if you are having trouble understanding why these protest and this moment matters.
Articles:
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"America's Racial Contract is Killing us" by Adam Serwer (Atlantic, May 8, 2020)
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”My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas | NYT Mag (June 22, 2011)
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The 1619 Project (all the articles) | The New York Times Magazine
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“The Intersectionality Wars” by Jane Coaston | Vox (May 28, 2019)
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Tips for Creating Effective White Caucus Groups developed by Craig Elliott PhD
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”White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Knapsack Peggy McIntosh
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“Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi | Atlantic (May 12, 2020)
Books:
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The Envisioning History Series (5 books)
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Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
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Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper
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Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
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How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
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Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
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Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
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Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold
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Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
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Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
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So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
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The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
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The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
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The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
by Michelle Alexander -
The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century
by Grace Lee Boggs -
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
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Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
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This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color by Cherríe Moraga
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When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira Katznelson
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
Documentaries:
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13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
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American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix
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Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent
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Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent
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Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
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Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent
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I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy
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If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
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Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent
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King In The Wilderness — HBO
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See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix
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Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent
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The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent
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The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax
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When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
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Before Stonewall- Available to Rent
Videos:
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"How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion" | Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools (18:26)
Podcasts:
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Teaching Tolerance "Teaching Hard History" podcast
Organizations to follow on Social Media:
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Antiracism Center: Twitter
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Equal Justice Initiative (EJI): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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National Domestic Workers Alliance: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
More anti-racism resources to check out:
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Resources for White People to Learn and Talk About Race and Racism
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“Why is this happening?” — an introduction to police brutality from 100 Year Hoodie
Other ways to support anti-racism is by attending marches, buying from local black businesses, or donating to anti-racist organizations.
There are so many other resources, and we hope you share more you find on your journey to understanding.
Please use your voice, use it wisely, and be safe, friends.