SUGGESTED READINGS
This page shares some enduring readings for reflection on racial justice at the personal, local, and national levels. These resources are intended to educate and inspire thoughtful discussion and engagement. Also see our Book List for other readings.
ALLYSHIP
Allyship is active support for the rights of a minority/marginalized group without being a member of it. It’s using your privilege to advocate for justice, equity, and inclusion. More than offering verbal support, allyship involves taking concrete, consistent actions.
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Guide to Allyship
Source: Amélie Lamont
A creative user-friendly resource to help anyone considering allyship better understand the pros and cons of what being an ally entails. Allies understand their role in collaboration with people whose lives are affected daily by systemic oppression.
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Role of “White” Allies
Source: In Black Ink (2025)
A summary of Dr. Maulana Karenga’s teachings on the role and responsibility of white people in the struggle for Black freedom.
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White Antiracist Activists
Source: Teaching While White, Compiled by Elizabeth Denevi and Lori Cohen, Eastern Educational Resource Collaborative
A collection of noted white antiracist/anti-oppression activists who stood up to racism when it was challenging, unpopular, and even illegal. Their work can serve as a guidepost.
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What Should Allies Do? Identifying Activist Perspectives on the Role of White Allies in the Struggle for Racial Justice in the United States
Source: Hema Preya Selvanathan, Özden Melis Uluğ, and Brooke Burrows (2022)
Explores differing views among Black and white activists on how white allies can best support antiracism. Identifies key roles, such as supporting Black leadership, engaging in interpersonal activism, avoiding domination, and committing to life.
TALKING POINTS
In addition to the historical information provided below, make sure to check out the more current articles that are in our Stay Informed! section.
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The Blackout Report – The Real-World Cost of Erasing, Distorting, and Suppressing Black Progress
Source: Onyx Impact (October 2025)
Black history is American history. Black progress is American progress. Both are now at risk, as detailed in this report.
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The Compelling Need and Notion of Freedom: Retrieving Our Expansive Concept of Struggle
Source: Dr. Maulana Karenga (January 28, 2019)
Dr. Maulana Karenga, founder of Kwanzaa, argues that modern notions of freedom have become dangerously narrow, reducing freedom to individual rights and legal protections. He calls for a return to a broader, older understanding of freedom — one that includes freedom from domination, degradation, and deprivation. Such freedom, Karenga insists, cannot be achieved through limited civil rights reforms alone, but requires radical transformation of social, political, economic, and cultural systems so that all people can realize their full human potential.
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The Black Agenda – The Issues of The Millions More Movement
Source: In Black Ink & Imhotep Science Academy (2006)
A summary of the ten key issues identified by the Million Man March of 1995 and the Millions More Movement in 2006 (Unity, Spiritual Values, Education, Economic Development, Political Power, Reparations, Prison Industrial Complex, Health, Artistic/Cultural Development, Peace).