Resources for Self-Education on Race-Based Bias, Prejudice, and Discrimination
White Folx Work: Learning About Racism, Respectfully
These resources have been selected for white individuals who seek to self-educate about racism. Please consider that self-education may be more respectful and thoughtful than asking members of communities of color to provide you with explanations about racism. Many excellent resources exist and are easily accessible -- and many of these resources are created by or in collaboration with people of color for just this purpose. You can honor their talent and dedication, and get great insights at the same time, by utilizing their books, articles, and videos to educate yourself about race-based bias, discrimination, and prejudice.
This resource list will be updated regularly. Know a great book, article, website, or video related to white privilege and social injustice? Please share by emailing LaXWakingUpWhite@gmail.com. Our Steering Committee will review your suggestion and consider adding it to the list published here.
These resources have been selected for white individuals who seek to self-educate about racism. Please consider that self-education may be more respectful and thoughtful than asking members of communities of color to provide you with explanations about racism. Many excellent resources exist and are easily accessible -- and many of these resources are created by or in collaboration with people of color for just this purpose. You can honor their talent and dedication, and get great insights at the same time, by utilizing their books, articles, and videos to educate yourself about race-based bias, discrimination, and prejudice.
This resource list will be updated regularly. Know a great book, article, website, or video related to white privilege and social injustice? Please share by emailing LaXWakingUpWhite@gmail.com. Our Steering Committee will review your suggestion and consider adding it to the list published here.
As you do this work, we invite you to read and reflect on the the following statement from Mr. Keonte R. Turner, former member of the La Crosse School Board and La Crose MLK Community Celebration Commitee:
To our fellow white folks who are protesting and shedding light on the deep rooted problems of injustice in our country, in our world, and in our community, thank you. But we must make a few things clear to you for ongoing protest.
Do not speak for the Black community of La Crosse.
I see this as stripping the Black community of La Crosse our voices. Doing something good for a community of people to show face without coming up with real solutions is none other than a beautiful red apple with a rotten core. It looks edible, but rather problematic on the inside.
The protesting is not the problem, entirely. Nothing wrong with that in the sense that of course, raising awareness and speaking out against injustice in theory is a good thing. What is problematic is when whites don’t stop before they start and ask theirselves, “But WHAT is actually needed? We don’t need assumptions. Nor do we need for whites to speak for us. We need you to listen.
We in the Black community respect our allies if they’re willing to put in the work, check their assumptions, and acknowledge that “cultural competence” and “anti-racism” are not skills that can be mastered. Meet us at our table where we make our own decisions and come up with our own solutions within our communities- because nobody knows what is best for our community but us.
If you have to ask us (The Black community) if it okay to “Do” something, it probably means ...it is not okay to do. Again, thank you for fighting and marching along side us. But don’t be our voice. It is important that you understand to not drown out the voices of the Black community in times like this. It can be rather be counterproductive and problematic to true justice and change. - June 2020
To our fellow white folks who are protesting and shedding light on the deep rooted problems of injustice in our country, in our world, and in our community, thank you. But we must make a few things clear to you for ongoing protest.
Do not speak for the Black community of La Crosse.
I see this as stripping the Black community of La Crosse our voices. Doing something good for a community of people to show face without coming up with real solutions is none other than a beautiful red apple with a rotten core. It looks edible, but rather problematic on the inside.
The protesting is not the problem, entirely. Nothing wrong with that in the sense that of course, raising awareness and speaking out against injustice in theory is a good thing. What is problematic is when whites don’t stop before they start and ask theirselves, “But WHAT is actually needed? We don’t need assumptions. Nor do we need for whites to speak for us. We need you to listen.
We in the Black community respect our allies if they’re willing to put in the work, check their assumptions, and acknowledge that “cultural competence” and “anti-racism” are not skills that can be mastered. Meet us at our table where we make our own decisions and come up with our own solutions within our communities- because nobody knows what is best for our community but us.
If you have to ask us (The Black community) if it okay to “Do” something, it probably means ...it is not okay to do. Again, thank you for fighting and marching along side us. But don’t be our voice. It is important that you understand to not drown out the voices of the Black community in times like this. It can be rather be counterproductive and problematic to true justice and change. - June 2020
Special resources for Facilitators-in-Training
Creating a Healthier Multicultural Community Project
Resource materials provided by Dr. Fran Kaplan. Click on the titles OR click on "download file" to access.
![]()
![]()
|
![]()
![]()
|