Anti-Racism Resources

 

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

June 3, 2020

Dear Plainfield Library Community and Friends,

The Plainfield Public Library board and staff are saddened and heartbroken by the events taking place locally and nationally. As a public library, we’re committed to building a better world and making our community and the individuals within our community feel welcome, seen, heard and appreciated. We strive to make sure every person we interact with is treated fairly and that our collection is diverse, so that everyone’s unique beliefs and backgrounds are represented. As a community, we stand with all of those who demand an end to systemic racism and oppression. Public libraries are founded on the belief of open exchange of ideas and freedom of speech.

The Library’s role is to encourage understanding of the current civil unrest by educating ourselves about the history of racist ideas and policies and how they influence today’s world. So we’re starting with what we do best, curating materials which support learning, exploration and conversations for positive change.

Sincerely,

Lisa Pappas
Library Director

To see resources for kids and teens on this topic, please visit #OwnVoices – Black Narratives (scroll to bottom).

Essential Reading

 

 

Essential Viewing

 

 

Anti-Racism Resources

Some terms to know:

  • BIPOC                     Black, Indigenous People of Color
  • Discrimination    the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the  grounds of race, age, or sex; recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another.
  • Privilege                 a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group
  • Racism                    prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.

For some additional words and terms, please see https://www.racialequitytools.org/glossary

National Organizations

Chicago Area Organizations

Non-BIPOC Organizations

Guides and Syllabi

The following contain additional pertinent information about anti-racism and oppression.  Bibliographies included.

Podcasts

Websites

Article

Who Gets to Be Afraid In America? Ibram X. Kendi