BLACK LIVES MATTER READING & RESOURCES
Schools pass on powerful knowledge to their students in the expectation that in possessing this knowledge the future citizens they are becoming will use it to change the world for the better. As an institution we are interested in promoting equality of access to this curriculum and in examining the nature of the curriculum itself so that we can be confident that our students do indeed understand the world and can change it for the better.
The readings below engage with current debates about structural inequality and racism and the legacies of imperialism in our society and are recommended to all our students. A wealth of useful resources are being widely shared to help students and staff better understand black history and the struggles of black people. We have put together a non-exhaustive list of resources that you can engage with to educate yourself further and to discuss with others.
This list is a collaborative effort compiled by academics, teachers and students, coming out of The School of Global Affairs at King's College London and Thomas Tallis School.
BOOKS
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire (2018) by Akala
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race (2018) by Reni Eddo-Lodge
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (2018) by Robin DiAngelo
Black, Listed: Black British Culture Explored (2019) by Jeffrey Boakye
Black and British: A Forgotten History (2016) by David Olusoga
How to Be an Antiracist (2019) by Ibrahim X.Kendi
Noughts & Crosses (2001) by Malorie Blackman (and BBC series on iPlayer)
Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging (2018) by Afua Hirsch
Kill the Black One First (2019) by Michael Fuller
Postcolonial Banter (2019) by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan
There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack (2002) by Paul Gilroy
Here are several other good recommendations for books with a more US focus and some by Black activists.
FILMS
If Beale Street Could Talk (2019)
Fruitvale Station (2013)
The Hate U Give (2018) adapted from a book by the same name by Angie Thomas.
Strong Island (2017)
Selma (2015)
Get Out (2017)
Here are several other film recommendations.
DOCUMENTARIES & DOCUSERIES
13th (Netflix)
When They See Us (Netflix)
Dear White People (Netflix)
Time: The Kalief Browder Story (Netflix)
Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap - 20 min episode
Explained: Political Correctness - 20 min episode
Who Killed Malcom X? - 6 part series
PEOPLE (mostly from the UK):
The list is endless and there are many well-known black activists and speakers all over the world. Here is a list of just some from the U.K. Many of the authors of the books listed above are also influential activists, especially Akala (see him speaking on knife crime in the UK) and Afua Hirsch, some of whose work can be read here.
MORE RESOURCES
The readings below engage with current debates about structural inequality and racism and the legacies of imperialism in our society and are recommended to all our students. A wealth of useful resources are being widely shared to help students and staff better understand black history and the struggles of black people. We have put together a non-exhaustive list of resources that you can engage with to educate yourself further and to discuss with others.
This list is a collaborative effort compiled by academics, teachers and students, coming out of The School of Global Affairs at King's College London and Thomas Tallis School.
BOOKS
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire (2018) by Akala
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race (2018) by Reni Eddo-Lodge
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (2018) by Robin DiAngelo
Black, Listed: Black British Culture Explored (2019) by Jeffrey Boakye
Black and British: A Forgotten History (2016) by David Olusoga
How to Be an Antiracist (2019) by Ibrahim X.Kendi
Noughts & Crosses (2001) by Malorie Blackman (and BBC series on iPlayer)
Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging (2018) by Afua Hirsch
Kill the Black One First (2019) by Michael Fuller
Postcolonial Banter (2019) by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan
There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack (2002) by Paul Gilroy
Here are several other good recommendations for books with a more US focus and some by Black activists.
FILMS
If Beale Street Could Talk (2019)
Fruitvale Station (2013)
The Hate U Give (2018) adapted from a book by the same name by Angie Thomas.
Strong Island (2017)
Selma (2015)
Get Out (2017)
Here are several other film recommendations.
DOCUMENTARIES & DOCUSERIES
13th (Netflix)
When They See Us (Netflix)
Dear White People (Netflix)
Time: The Kalief Browder Story (Netflix)
Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap - 20 min episode
Explained: Political Correctness - 20 min episode
Who Killed Malcom X? - 6 part series
PEOPLE (mostly from the UK):
The list is endless and there are many well-known black activists and speakers all over the world. Here is a list of just some from the U.K. Many of the authors of the books listed above are also influential activists, especially Akala (see him speaking on knife crime in the UK) and Afua Hirsch, some of whose work can be read here.
- Stuart Hall was one of Britain’s leading intellectuals, being at the foundation of the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham. He was one of the foremost thinkers on race and ethnicity and an inspiration to a generation of academics.
- George the Poet is a British spoken-word artist, poet, rapper, and podcast host with an interest in social and political issues. Here he is speaking on BBC Newsnight
- Rebecca Solnit is a US writer, activist and scholar is great, passionate and political. Here she rages about racism, fascism, and masculinity.
- Dave is a young, black, British artist who regularly speaks about injustices in the UK. Here he is live at the BRITS 2020.
- Stormzy is a UK Grime Rapper, but he’s also known for his political activism and campaigning for black equality.
- Baratunde Thurston, writer, activist and comedian. See his Ted talk on how to deconstruct racism one headline at a time.
MORE RESOURCES
- Black Lives Matter
- A Free Yale University Course on African American History
- A Free University of Exeter Course on British Imperialism
- Twitter Thread on Documentaries about understanding racism, prejudice, police brutality, and more.
- Anti-Racism Resources