I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about how to engage with supporting #BlackLivesMatter on social media in a way that is not retraumatizing, not performative, and not in a way that makes me look like one of the "good white people.” 1/

Esp when it feels like I’m talking in an echo chamber, it seems particularly performative. But I’ve realized that there are two big things I can do. I can 1) reach out of my bubble and engage with folks who don’t share my views and 2) share what I’ve done to educate myself 2/

I’ve seen a lot of white people expressing this sentiment of frustration and helplessness. But I’ve learned that #Antiracism is a lifelong way of being. To be #antiracist is to be always evaluating your complicity in racist systems + structures. This involves lifelong learning 3/

To this end, one thing I know I can do is to work to alleviate the labor that black folx have been doing forever, which is educating us white people. @LashNolen tweeted some of her favorite books that teach #antiracist thoughts and principles. Learning is the first step. 4/

I’ve decided to list some of my favorite books promoting #antiracism and the dismantling of #systemicracism and anti blackness. Please add to this list with your recommendations! These are books I’ve listened to as audiobooks in the last year—for free with a library card!! 5/

The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander
How To Be An Anti-Racist, @DrIbram
The Color of Law, Richard Rothstein
Hood Feminism, @Karnythia
White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo
Unapologetic, @CharleneCac
Me and White Supremacy, Layla Saad
6/

When They Call You a Terrorist, Patrisse Khan-Cullors
So You Want to Talk About Race, @IjeomaOluo
The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin
The Fire This Time, @jesmimi
Pushout, @MoniqueWMorris
Breathe: A Letter to My Sons, @imaniperry
7/

White Negros, Lauren Michele Jackson
How to Kill a City, Peter Moskowitz
8/

Put in the work. Ask your white friends what work they’ve done, what books they’ve read, what conversations they’ve had. Listen to your black friends. Really hear them. And amplify their voices. 9/

Recognize that this is a process of unlearning. If someone tells you that you’ve done something that hurt them, instead of being offended, LISTEN and correct. If I say/do something that isn’t right, let me know (if it’s not too much labor on you) and I will work to be better 10/

I think that’s all I have to say for now. Perhaps this thread is me speaking into my bubble again. But my hope is someone will see this list and (re)commit to living and learning an #antiracist life. I’m welcoming all feedback as to how I can better support #BlackLivesMatter /fin