Black storytellers are essential voices in the body of knowledge on international development, humanitarian aid and global solidarity. During Black History Month, we celebrated and amplified the ideas and perspectives of Black thought leaders and innovators worldwide – and we will continue to do so all year round.
We asked staff at Crossroads International to recommend resources that highlight the global Black experience and teach important topics on anti-racism, inclusion, equity, and decolonization. By embracing a truthful understanding of the past and the endurance of colonial thinking and attitudes today, we help build more enriching, genuine and equal partnerships with communities in the Global South.
What We’re Watching, Reading and Listening To
“This Black History Month, I have chosen to focus on material that advocates and encourages black people to
take a step back and rest, it is not always up to us to do the heavy lifting and take on the burden of proving that we are human and deserve to be treated as such, the trauma of racism has been proven to be passed on from generation to generation and it is now time to pass on the practises of rest and self-care.”
– Sophie Zala Kanza, Volunteer Mobilization Officer – Diversity & Inclusion Lead
- Resource: Why Black People Are Tired of Explaining Racism (Article)
This article delves into the emotional toll on Black people constantly educating others about racism and offers insights for allies to self-educate.
- Resource: Me and White Supremacy (Book)
This workbook is designed for allies to reflect on their own privilege and take actionable steps to fight racism, shifting the focus away from relying solely on Black voices.
- Resource: Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto (Book)
Hersey, the founder of The Nap Ministry, advocates for rest as a radical form of resistance, particularly for Black people, while challenging society to decolonize labor expectations.
- Resource: The Psychological Toll of Being the Only Woman of Color at Work (Article)
“The privilege of denouncing explores the reasons why black women and girls are largely absent from public debates on sexual violence. Using examples from Quebec, France and the United States, the author shows how
black women’s experiences of sexual violence are often downplayed or invisible, despite the different social and political contexts, which are still marked by the weight of racism and patriarchy. The book also offers food for thought on alternatives to traditional justice, such as restorative justice, which enable us to rethink the way in which violence is dealt with in a more inclusive and equitable way.”
– Alexandra Descôteaux, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer
Resource: The privilege of denouncing (French Book)
“The book explores the science around empathy and the stories of individuals across professions and
demographic groups who are utilizing empathy to combat racism. It’s a hopeful read that encourages listening and understanding to foster inclusion and does so with a practical lens.”
– Geralyn Klassen, Manager, Human Resources
Resource: The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World (Book)
“This TED Talk reinforces the influence of our stories on our understanding of the world and its people –
particularly the African continent. We hold power in creating single and flattened stories of people and cultures that perpetuate damaging assumptions and stereotypes. It reminds us to use this power to create more complex and complete stories that humanize and elevate others”
- Tamilore Oshodi, Volunteer Engagement Officer
Resource: The Danger of Single Story – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Video)
Here are some other multimedia recommendations that spotlight anti-racism efforts and address systemic challenges impacting women in the Global South:
Books and Articles:
Videos:
Podcasts:
Films and Documentaries:
- Lingui, The Sacred Bonds (this movie was also screened at the Crossroads office to close off BHM).
The work of anti-racism and education doesn’t stop in February. We encourage you to explore and share these resources with your community and revisit them throughout the year to amplify Black voices, challenge injustices, and deepen our understanding of history and its lasting impact.
