Where to Begin when Engaging Anti-Racist Efforts from Abroad
“We are not experts and we are still very much on the journey of learning (and unlearning) things when it comes to racism. Because of this, we are pointing you to the voices of men and women who have done a lot of work to help us listen, learn, and take action”
All of us on the Taking Route team carry passports that say United States of America, and we know many of you do as well. The events happening in our home country right now are devastating. The murders of Black men and women like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor (and so, so many others) have opened our eyes to something that has been going on for a long time. As U.S. citizens living abroad, we find ourselves grasping for something that we can do right now to work for justice in America.
We are not experts and we are still very much on the journey of learning (and unlearning) things when it comes to racism. Because of this, we are pointing you to the voices of men and women who have done a lot of work to help us listen, learn, and take action. We wanted to share some resources we have found to be helpful in educating and or/prompting actionable change to fight racism in America.
But before we get to that list, we wanted to share some important words by anti-racism encourager, Osheta Moore. She recently posted on her IGTV about three strategies for posting about race and we encourage you to watch it here. But in summary, she said we need to start with saying one or all of the following:
I’m sorry. I’m listening. I’m learning.
She explains that when we posture ourselves in that way, we keep from centering ourselves and keep the focus on dismantling racism. And we believe that’s a great place to begin before diving into this curated list.
This is by no means a comprehensive list but one which we, the Taking Route team, can vouch for. We hope it gives you a place to start.
1. Listen
As expats, we are usually on high alert for social injustices. Many of our daily lives are saturated in being a voice for the voiceless. But for now, unless you’re a Black American, let us take the humble posture of a learner. The first thing to do is listen up and take notes.
Podcasts
Serial season 3 spends a year reporting from Cleveland’s courts and in the process uncovers stories of systemic injustice rampant throughout the U.S. criminal justice system.
In the Dark season 2 could be your next podcast binge after Serial, as it goes macro on one case of injustice in Mississippi that’s recently made its way into the Supreme Court.
The Longest Shortest Time’s episode “How to not (accidentally) raise a racist” is a great one for parents struggling with how to discuss race with their little ones. Additional parenting resources are linked on the episode page.
“After Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing, Will We Change?”, Love Anyway. This podcast is uniquely fitting for our community as it is put out by the international, U.S.-founded organization, Preemptive Love, and regularly features stories from their field workers in Iraq.
First Name Basis podcast by Jasmine Bradshaw. This podcast is all about getting to know people who are different from you. You can start by listening to the Untold Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., How to Talk to Your Children About Racism, and What is Privilege and What Do I Do With It?
Latasha Morrison (@latashamorrison & @Beabridgebuilder) is a Christian racial reconciliation educator and activist. In addition to the resources she offers on Instagram, she’s recently started a podcast and has written a book.
Osheta Moore (@oshetamoore) is an anti-racism encourager and author of Shalom Sistas. She is well-known for her hashtag, #dearwhitepeacemakers, and does a great job addressing hard things with love and grace.
Black Coffee with White Friends (@blackcoffeewithwhitefriends) is one of the most beautiful, truthful, gracious voices I have ever encountered on the internet. Her page is a combination of poetry, literature, history, and reflections. She also runs a history page with stories you probably didn’t learn in school but should have— @mockingbirdhistorylessons
For parents, The Conscious Kid (@theconsciouskid) has lots of resources on parenting and educating your children on race issues.
If you’re just needing to get more Black voices and perspectives in your life, Talk Black Media (@talkblackmedia) can help fill that place in your feed.
A member of Taking Route’s extended community, Lauren Pinkston (@upwardlydependent) uses her Ph.D. skills to regularly research and share on current issues in the news which she meticulously saves in story highlights.
Films
Just Mercy has been made into a film and we recommend it. It’s available to stream now as well as download on Apple, Google, and Amazon Prime.
13th by Ava DuVernay is a documentary you’ve probably heard a lot about because it is so informative and eye-opening as it reveals the history and ramifications of the 13th amendment. Available exclusively on Netflix.
When They See Us, also from Ava DuVernay, is a dramatization of the true story of the Central Park Five, a seminal American case of gross injustice.
Books
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative. Stevenson’s memoir of working as a lawyer is challenging and deeply disturbing—in the best way especially for Christians as Stevenson’s faith strongly informs his actions throughout the book. His loving yet unflinching perspective has stayed in my spirit years after reading. (For parents, there’s also a version of the book made appropriate for high school students)
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin (1963) and the recent collection of essays edited by Jesmyn Ward in continued conversation with Baldwin’s seminal work, The Fire This Time.
The Color of Law: How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein presents the history of American cities and the racial planning and segregation that went into making them what they are today.
2. Study
As we are listening to voices that are different than our own and who are closer to the racial situation back in the U.S., we need to also be actively seeking to educate ourselves. Getting our hands, brains, and hearts actively in the education process will help us be vested and ignited into being a small part of the solution.
Start a zoom call with friends to talk about racism and privilege. Do book studies and podcast listening parties. Ask yourself the hard questions and don’t be afraid of what will be revealed. Bring it into the light.
What LIES Between Us: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing — This journal and guide is for those who are being stirred toward racial healing but don’t know where to begin. Dr. Lucretia Berry, co-creator of Brownicity, assembled this journal and guide to help those of us with the right heart to also be equipped with the right tools. This journal and guide are your companion as you take your first steps towards analyzing race/ism and its personal and social effects.
The Gospel Coalition’s The Pursuit of Biblical Justice course is available online with additional resources.
The United Methodist has a free multi-week study they offer on Vital Conversations on Realities of Racism complete with questions and videos.
The Bible Project has a good, short video on justice in the Bible which could be an excellent family resource as you have conversations on racism and injustice.
3. Do Something.
Now that you’ve listened and have asked the questions, now it is time to put the knowledge to work. We don’t want to be a people who are all talk and no action.
Vote! If you aren’t registered already, the Federal Voting Assistance Program has an easy how-to guide. We promise it is really easy to do and this is one of the best ways of working toward change in America.
Donate! Not all of us are in a place where we can give financially right now, but for those who can, it’s worth it to look into supporting anti-racism work. If you are following a few of the above Instagram accounts, there will be no short supply of trusted organizations toward which to give your money.
Spend Wisely. If you can, try to support black-owned businesses right now. Look for an artist to get excited about or a musician to download. Check out this article with many wonderful businesses put out by Ebony.com.
Engage. We’re all a part of an extended community. Seek to engage with your community back in the States. Do they need to be challenged and hear truth? Or maybe your community is the one hurting and they need love right now. Sending someone $5 to buy a nice coffee after a hard day of emotional labor can go a long way.
In closing, we encourage you to read and pray through this Liturgy for All Rioting Hearts by @blackcoffeewithwhitefriends. Be sure to read the caption, too, for the confession, call, and benediction.
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What about you guys? How are you staying engaged from afar? If you’re not from the States, what do you do when there is injustice in your home country? What resources would you add to the list?
