On Antiracism
We recognize that BLACK LIVES have been traumatized repeatedly through the inherent racism in our country and that racism permeates the spaces we build as historical organizations. For too long, Black women’s history advocates have entered spaces of research and collaboration that are guided by failed cultural practices that ask Black historians to put aside their experiences and interpretation of the historical impact of racism for the comfort of others. Such actions contribute to the continued traumatization of Black lives. These behaviors must be replaced by antiracist practices to ensure that the experiences and expertise of Black women’s history advocates are an integral part of women’s history.
As champions of women’s history it is our responsibility to stand in witness to the lives and contributions of women. It is time we look to Black women who are leading us and guiding us in the interpretation and narration of the lived experience of Black women. We commit to elevating those voices and will actively work to dismantle policies and barriers within the realm of women’s history that deny and perpetuate the legacy of racism in this country.
The National Women’s History Alliance has a legacy of empowerment through women’s history and our members are agents of change. We ask that all of our members and partners, with their varied backgrounds and experiences join with us in reflection, education, and a commitment to practicing antiracism in all of their spaces. This is not the first time that Black women have been leaders in a pivotal moment for change and it is imperative to look to their guidance and leadership at this time
Let us not be divided. Instead, it is time to listen, it is time to learn, and it is time to look within ourselves for what we will do today, tomorrow, and for all the days forward. Until Black women and Black communities are free, none of us are truly free.
We stand in solidarity and action with the people and organizations who are standing up today so that we can establish a better tomorrow. We hope you join us in this fight for equality and freedom.
Resources to learn more about antiracism (a continually up-dated list):
People to pay attention to:
Rachel Cargle
Rachel Cargle is a public academic, writer, and lecturer. Her activism and academic work are rooted in providing intellectual discourse, tools, and resources that explore the intersection of race and womanhood. Join the “Great Unlearn” curated by Rachel Cargle
Article: “What is Toxic Feminism,” Harper’s Bazaar,
Website: https://www.rachelcargle.com/
Austin Channing
Austin Channing has created an educational platform that encourages meaningful conversations about racial justice and antiracism work.
Podcast: The Antiracist Squad
Book: I’m Still Here, Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, by Austin Channing Brown
Website: http://austinchanning.com/
Mysha T.
Myisha works with organizations and community groups taking white people on a self-reflective journey exploring their relationship with power, privilege, and racism. Her Check Your Privilege interview series is an inquiry into the work some white women are doing to show up safely for BIPoC and move beyond passive ally-ship to action driven co-conspirators.
Book: Check Your Privilege: Live Into the Work, by Myisha T.
Website: https://checkyourprivilege.co/
Latasha Morrison
Latash Morrison, the founder of Be the Bridge. She is a speaker, author, reconciler, bridge-builder and leader, committed to educate people on cultural intelligence and racial literacy.
Book: Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation, by Latasha Morrison
Website: https://latashamorrison.com/
Melissa DePino and Michelle Saahene
Melissa and Michelle started From Privilege to Progress (P2P), a national movement to desegregate the public conversation about race. P2P calls on all Americans to join on the path to antiracism by learning, speaking up in their everyday lives and amplifying the voices of people of color on social media.
Website: https://fromprivilegetoprogress.org/
Podcasts to listen to:
Code Switch – NPR’s podcast for fearless conversations about race, hosted by journalists of color, tackling the subject of race head-on.
Speaking of Racism – A podcast dedicated to frank, honest, and respectful discussions about racism in the U.S.
1619 – An audio series from the New York Times, on how slavery has transformed America, connecting past and present through the oldest form of storytelling.
Consider Donating:
Color of Change – Color of Change designs campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward. Until justice is real.
Black Lives Matter – Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.
Campaign Zero – Identifying solutions, providing research & data to organizers and policymakers, advocating to end police violence nationwide.
Black Visions Collective – Black Visions Collective (BLVC) believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.
The Loveland Foundation – The Loveland Foundation brings opportunity and healing to communities of color, and especially to Black women and girls.
More Books:
White Spaces, Missing Faces: Why Women of Color Don’t Trust White Women, by Catrice M. Jackson
How to Be Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi
Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color, by Andrea J. Ritche http://invisiblenomorebook.com/
Becoming Ms. Burton, by Susan Burton