Observing Juneteenth
“Action without reflection, leads to burnout. Reflection without action, leads to cynicism.”
Anti-racism work is perpetual and requires us to be proactive in promoting it within ourselves, our workplaces, communities, homes and anywhere we go. Juneteenth is a date that helps us to slow down, reflect and set intentions for where we’re taking this work as individuals and as the RAPP Family as we move through our lives.
Please enjoy these resources and actions which you can refer back to and share with colleagues, friends, family and community groups throughout the year.
Key Topics for 2021 include…
How to Keep Being an Ally
Guide to Allyship (Guide)
A starter guide to help you become a more thoughtful and effective ally
Everyday Racism (Instagram)
Instagram account highlighting everyday racism in British society
“What White People Can Do Next” by Emma Dabiri (Book)
A collection of essays on how to be agents of change in the fight against racism
Mental Health & Racism
The Whole Truth (Documentary, 4oD)
A ground breaking conversation about mental health, music and systemic racism
“Balancing Work and Mental Health” Dope Black Dads (Podcast)
Discussion on how essential it is to find the right balance between work and your mental wellbeing
Mental Health in the Workplace with MEFA Matters (Video)
Focussed on the stigma of mental health in the workplace, particularly for people from minority backgrounds.
Race and the LGBTQ+ Community
The Black Lesbian Handbook (Documentary, 4oD)
A lively guide to the underground Black Lesbian scene in Britain and the US
“Rainbow Milk” by Paul Mendez (Book)
A semi-autobiographical novel that follows a young gay Black man fleeing his religious upbringing
“Black Trans Lives Matter” Nancy (Podcast)
How to create a truly inclusive Black Lives Matter movement, and getting back to the roots of Pride
Cultural Appropriation
Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Appreciation (TikTok Post)
A short summary to understand the differences between cultural appropriation versus appreciation
“Cultural Appropriation: Don’t be an Invader” by Brittany Kiefer (Campaign Article)
Exploring cultural appropriation in adland and how brands can avoid it
“How Cultural Appropriation Hurts Us All” by Gina Florio (Videos + Article)
Highlighting the reasons why cultural appropriation is offensive, upsetting and frustrating to others
George Floyd & Black Lives Matter 2020: A Year On…
“Sarah Beckett from Voice of Colour chats BLM one year on” (article)
How momentum and social engagement around BLM has changed over the last year
Do Black Lives still Matter? (Short Documentary, BBC iPlayer)
Exploring the worlds of brands, football and music a year after BLM 2020
The Racial Reckoning that Wasn’t (Podcast)
Reviewing how support for the 2020 “racial reckoning” has declined over the last year
Action: UK Petitions
Ethnicity Pay Gap — Experience of Black Women in the UK (link)
Make the History Curriculum for Secondary Schools More Inclusive of BAME History (link)
A Public Enquiry into the Causes Surrounding Missing Black People (link)
VALERIE’S LAW Compulsory Training for Agencies Supporting Black Domestic Violence Victims (link)
Documentaries
The School That Tried to End Racism (4oD)
BAFTA-winning series. A school helps students uncover and eradicate hidden racial biases
See Hear: Dismantling Racism — Series 40: Episode 13 (BBC iPlayer)
Learn about racism in the deaf community and how it can be dismantled
Hair Power: Me and My Afro (4oD)
A taboo-busting look at how Afro-textured hair shapes Black experience in modern Britain
Whoever Heard of Black Artists? Britain’s Hidden Art History (BBC iPlayer)
Highlighting artists of African and Asian descent who have helped to shape the history of British art
Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power (BBC iPlayer)
Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock explores racism across the music industry
Movies & TV
Little Fires Everywhere (Amazon Prime)
Exploring how race, class and motherhood intertwine. Starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon
Insecure (Amazon Prime)
Follows the awkward experiences and racy tribulations of a modern-day African-American woman
Pose (BBC iPlayer)
US series about the underground world of 1980s ball culture, set at the height of the AIDS epidemic
Judas and the Black Messiah (Amazon Video)
Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O’Neal infiltrates the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence
Soul (Disney+)
Family-movie that takes you on an unexpected journey into the after-life, starring Pixar’s first Black lead
Books
“Black Artists in British Art: A History Since the 1950s” by Eddie Chambers
Tells the story of Black artists from the 1950s onwards, including recent developments and successes
“Voices of the Windrush Generation” by David Matthews
Collection of stories from the men, women and children who emigrated to Britain in search of a better life
“Black, Listed: Black British Culture Explored” by Jeffrey Boakye
An exploration of 21st century Black identity told through a list of insults, insights and everything in between.
“Mixed/Other: Explorations of Multiraciality in Modern Britain” by Natalie Morris
Aims to dismantle the stereotypes that have plagued mixed people for generations and to amplify their voices
“Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture” by Emma Dabiri
Explores how Black hair has been stigmatized throughout history. It touches on race, pop culture + body politics
Podcasts
Black Mum’s Upfront — Episode 18: “Becky with the Good Hair” (Listen)
Combing through micro-aggressions and digging deep into hair hang ups.
Dope Black Dads (Listen)
For fathers who wish to discuss their experiences of being black, a parent and masculinity in the modern world.
Black Gals Livin’ (Listen)
Two girls from London and Essex chatting about mental health, pop culture and random shenanigans.
The Echo Chamber (Listen)
Discussing issues that resonate among Black British people, from the perspective of Black, working class women.
Anthems (Listen)
The daily podcast series amplifying incredible Black voices from across the UK
Publications & Communities to follow
Intersectional Environmentalist (Website / Instagram)
Explores the intersections of environmental and social injustice
Black Pound Day (website)
Increases the visibility of Black owned businesses to facilitate change around socio-economic inequalities
The Conscious Kid (Instagram)
Dedicated to equity and promoting healthy racial identity development in youth
UK Black Pride (Instagram)
Promotes unity + solidarity among LGBTQ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin descent
MEFA: Media for All (YouTube / Instagram)
To encourage more Black, Asian and other ethnic talent into media and provide a support and mentoring network
Mental Health Resources
Mind (Website)
Provides support specifically for young Black men, tackling stigma, cultural barriers and systemic discrimination
Black Minds Matter UK (Website)
Connects Black individuals and families with free mental health services, by professional Black therapists
BLAM UK: Black Learning Achievement & Mental Health (Website)
Committed to improving the wellbeing of peoples of African through community outreach projects.
Mental Health and Race in the Workplace Toolkit (Toolkit)
Helping businesses support positive mental health of their people who are Black or from a Minority Ethnic background
Rethink Mental Illness — for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people (Website)
Specialised mental health support for those from Black, Asian and Minority backgrounds
