Stuff I Like: Power To The People.

@noahscalin @cheats_rva

I know most of us are probably feeling sad and angry and tired and overwhelmed right now. I've been thinking: What is the right thing to do? What's the best way to be an ally? Where to donate, how to help? I've been reading and listening as much I can, trying my best to not be part of the problem and hopefully to learn the best way to be part of the solution. (Also, some really positive news in my hometown has certainly helped!)

I keep seeing lists on social media for businesses to support, books to read, podcasts to listen to, and documentaries to watch on the Black experience and I keep losing track of them before I can make my own lists, so I thought it might be helpful to compile some sources with lists to help make your own. (Note: There are no affiliate links in this post.) Here you go:

10 Documentaries To Watch About Race Instead Of Asking A Person Of Colour To Explain Things For You

"If you, like many of us, are finding it hard to articulate how to discuss issues of racism, injustice, discrimination and privilege, we’d like to encourage you to take some time to learn and listen."

Several Antiracist Books Are Selling Out. Here's What Else Black Booksellers and Publishers Say You Should Read  (I would add Colson Whitehead to the fiction list, personally.) 

"For black booksellers and publishers who have been promoting these titles for years, it’s encouraging that people are now turning to books to further their own knowledge, rather than expecting the black community to educate them."

12 Podcasts that Can Help Us Learn About Race and Racism in America

(I already listen to several of these! It's a good list.)

"Learn about Black history that you might’ve missed in school. From the golden era of Black television to what you probably didn’t know about Josephine Baker, Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings dive into the many layers of Black life."

14 Books by Black Women You Need to Read

"According to the publisher, “'A Black Women's History of the United States' reaches far beyond a single narrative to showcase Black women's lives in all their fraught complexities..."

27 Black-Owned Etsy Shops To Support During Black History Month And Beyond

"Not only is Etsy.com as great place to shop, it is also a space that empowers indie creatives to share their gifts with the world."

#SummerReads: 14 Books By Black Authors To Add To Your Bookshelf

"Whether it’s a love story of which Black women rarely get to be the star, or the uncovering of Black history that needs to be passed down throughout generations, these books tell our story."

77 Black-Owned Businesses to Support Right Now

(This is a fantastic list! It covers a ton of different businesses.)

"Founded by Hleziphansi Zita, this line of architectural jewelry is elegant and sculptural — each piece reminds me of something you’d find in a museum, and the prices for the sterling silver and gold plating are reasonable."

PS. The artwork at the top was created in 2017 by my friend Noah Scalin in collaboration with Cheats RVA.