A few thoughts and resources about Racial Injustice & Empathy

6/5/20

This week has been draining.

It’s no longer possible to stay on the sidelines and watch the situation silently. What’s happening now in the US is a fight that also happens here in France, and in many other places across Europe and around the World.

As a light continues to shine on societal inequalities in the US and the world, these are resources I have discovered that are helping to educate me on anti-racism and systemic racism. I’d like to share them below, in the hope that it helps others learn more about the situation impacting African-Americans and the Black community as a whole.

Step 1: Educate Yourself

Books

Buy some books from a local, independent, preferably black-owned bookstore. I read some of these and ordered a few more that I’m looking forward to go through this weekend:

• Between the World and Me
• How to be an Antiracist
• So you want to talk about Race
• Hood Feminism
• Stamped from the Beginning
• I’m Still Here
• What doesn’t kill you makes you Blacker
• White Fragility
• Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race
• Anything from James Baldwin (The Fire Next Time , If Beale Street Could Talk , I am not your Negro, Giovanni’s Room, etc.)

And to my French community, most of them should be available translated in French too.

Podcasts

• Kiffe ta race (FR)
• 1619 (EN)
• Pod Save the People (EN)
• Code Switch (EN)
• Higher Learning (EN)

Movies & TV Shows

Movies

• 13th (Documentary - about mass-incarceration) ( Netflix )
• I am not your negro (Documentary)
• Just Mercy (inspired from true story)
• The Hate U Give (adapted from book)
• If Beale Street Could Talk (adapted from James Baldwin novel)
• Do The Right Thing (Classic watch — Spike Lee)
• Boyz n the Hood
• Fruitvale Station (inspired by true story)(Directed by Ryan Coogler: Black Panther, Creed, etc)
• The Last Black Man in San Francisco (More about Gentrification)

TV Shows

• Dear White People
• When They See Us
• Watchmen

Living in/Visiting Paris?

• Book a tour of Paris with “Paris Noir” to learn about how African, Caribbean and African-American culture connects the City of Lights. (Available in French & English)

Step 2: Act

Ask yourself what you can do

• Learn about the biases that you may have, identify it, and try to think past that. Just like any exercise or habit, it gets better every single time you’ll practice.

Review diversity and inclusivity initiatives at the company you work with/for.

• Talk about it with your local HR/Admin leaders & Management.
• Keep in mind that diversity & inclusivity can be about different nationalities but also about differences in terms of social, educational, cultural or even economic background.

Shop at local businesses

• Discover Black-owned businesses in Paris with “Little Africa” or this list of 50+ black-owned businesses in Paris
• Order their ‘City Guide’

For every single one of these points, a quick search online is all you need to be literally inundated with suggestions, so please don’t be lazy.

And I’d be more than happy to look into this some more if anyone wants to reach out privately too. And obviously, feel free to share this list around you and let me know if you were able to experience some of these resources!

I hope this helps, and I look forward to living in a better world with all of you!