Resources on Anti-Racism

Today, we face unprecedented circumstances that have challenged us to pause, reflect, and address racial equity. We oppose racism - of any kind - and stand in solidarity with black communities and others who have been historically and continue to be under-represented and whose access to democracy has not been equal. Diversity and Inclusion are very much a core tenet of the YMCA.

We are committed to working collectively with our members, staff, and partners. Part of making change happen is participating in thought-provoking dialogue. As a leading non-profit in our community, we encourage all to continue to research, learn, listen, and challenge yourself to be an advocate of anti-racism work.

As you explore online, we ask you to remember: 

• Look at websites ending in .org or .edu (versus .com).
• Vet news stories from two or more news outlets before sharing.
• Vet facts from two or more websites (independent before sharing).
• Be mindful of amplifying social media messages (Twitter, IG, Facebook, etc) without first vetting sources and looking into who initially shared the information/story.

Not sure where to start in your research? The following resources below are a good start:

Local Organizations: 

• Austin Justice Coalition
• Communities of Color United: Coalition for Racial Justice
• Grassroots Leadership
• Undoing White Supremacy Austin
• Mana Sana Vibrant Women

Websites: 

• Southern Poverty Law Center’s Speak Up: What I can do about everyday Racism

Videos to Watch: 

• Black Feminism & the Movement for Black Lives: Barbara Smith, Reina Gossett, Charlene Carruthers (50:48) 
• Dr. Robin DiAngelo discusses ‘White Fragility’ (1:23:30) 
• “How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion” | Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools (18:26) 
• The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Podcasts to Subscribe to: 

• Seeing White 
• 1619 (New York Times) 
• About Race 
• Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw 
• Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast 
• Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights) 

Books to Read: 

• Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald
• Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins 
• Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper 
• Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon 
• How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi 
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 
• Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color by Andrea J. Ritchie 
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
• Ferguson Fault Lines: The Race Quack that Rocked a Nation by Kimberly Jade Norwood
• The Nature of Prejudice  by Gordon W. Allport
• An Easy Burden by Andrew Young
• Deeply Divided: Racial Politics and Social Movements in Postwar America by Doug McAdam and Karina Kloos

Resources for Kids: 

• We need Diverse Books
• The Conscious Kid
• The Tiny Activist
• Inclusive Storytime
• Education with an Apron
• Resources for Parents