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Black History Week – A College Compilation

A Black History Week College compilation of resources to read, watch and listen at your leisure.

“To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.” – Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Activist

As a multi-diverse institution, we recognise that Black history should be acknowledged frequently, however Black History Month, and our dedicated Black History Week we believe presents the opportunity to reflect, to learn, to challenge and to enjoy.

At your leisure, we invite you to explore the following resources as we all aim to continue celebrating and cultivating awareness of black history and culture into our lives as a whole.

 

Read

  • So, You Want to Talk about Race – A #1 bestseller written by Ijeoma Oluo, this is an excellent read that guides the reader through the reality of the extensive racial landscape in today’s world – from police brutality and cultural appropriation to systemic racism and white privilege.
  • Girl, Woman, Other – Written by Bernardine Evaristo, this title illuminates the lives of a dozen black British women across social class and generations. Hailed as “a love song to modern Britain”, it offers fascinating insight into the characters’ unique lives and experiences, whilst also observing how their lives interconnect.
  • They Can’t Kill Us All – Wesley Lowery penned this memoir in 2016, relating to the time he spent uncovering the widespread civil unrest that followed the 2014 murder of black teenager Michael Brown, by white police officer Darren Wilson in Missouri. It brings to life the wider struggle of justice and discrimination, the reality of police brutality and those who are working hard to end it. 

 

Watch

  • AKALA | Lecture series (YouTube) – British musician AKALA has created a short series of 6 videos that share his learnings, his experience as a black man in Britain and his personal recommendations to extend the learning experience.
  • Time: The Kalief Browder Story (Netflix) – A short series recounts Kalief Browder’s true story – a high school student from the Bronx who is imprisoned for three years (two of which in solitary confinement) – despite not being convicted of a crime.
  • When They See Us (Netflix) – Based on a true story, this miniseries follows the story of five teenagers from Harlem who are arrested, interrogated and falsely accused of a vicious attack in Central Park.

 

Listen

  • About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge (Podcast) – The journalist and author behind Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race takes the conversation of race a step further with this podcast; a series of interviews with key figures in anti-racist activism.
  • Desert Island Discs special: with Bryan Stevenson (BBC) – Island Disc host Kirsty Young is in conversation with US lawyer Bryan Stevenson, who is also the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice initiative. With tracks as varied from Stevie Wonder to Henry Purcell and Miles Davis, it’s a great listen.
  • Witness Black History (BBC): As part of the BBC World Service, this podcast is a collective of interviews with individuals who were there are key and crucial moments in civil rights and black history – from the launch of Notting Hill Carnival to Nasa’s pioneering black women, the first black England football player and more.