A large part of the black lives matter movement is focused on education, calling on people of all races, ages, and genders to educate themselves about black history and how racism manifests itself in society. Although the organization started in the US, racial inequality is very much a global issue and needs to be addressed here in the UK too.
If you want to help the cause, become a better ally, understand the experiences of Black people, and proactively bring about change in society, but aren’t sure how to go about it, diversifying your library is a great place to start. begin .
You are reading: Black lives matter books
by educating yourself on books about black lives matter and racism (thus without asking a black person to take the time and energy to explain what terms like “white privilege” mean), you’ll be able to understand how you can influence your personal circles of friends, family and colleagues. after all, no one knows the areas where you could make a change better than you. you will also support non-white writers.
To start your journey, here’s a list of recommended reading by authors of color, some of whom delve into the complexities of racism and the black experience. there’s a mix of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction to dive into, as well as anti-racism guides. If you can, shop at black-owned bookstores like Afrori or Round Table Book, or your local independent vendor. You can also choose to support your chosen independent store by shopping at bookshop.org.
kill in your lane by yomi adegoke and elizabeth uviebinené
Insanely well-researched, this book is packed with helpful statistics on systemic racism, ranging from black relationships to what it’s like to be a black woman with health issues, while remaining easy to understand. If you’re looking for an insight into what life is like for black women today, this is a great option.
girl: essays on black femininity by kenya hunt
Edited by ELLE Editor-in-Chief Kenya Hunt, this anthology contains essays by authors like Candice Carty-Williams, Freddie Harrel, Funmi Fetus, and more on what it’s like to be a black woman and mother today. Equal parts heartbreaking and funny, if you can’t personally relate to these stories, they will certainly shed light on an experience that is vital to understand.
safe: 20 ways to be a black man in britain today by derek owusu
on the other hand, this upcoming collection of essays explores the experience of being a black man today. brave, timely and vital, with writing by suli breaks, alex wheatle and okechukwu nzelu, this book gives black british men a platform to celebrate and protest their experiences, dismantle stereotypes, start conversations about mental health and lgbtq+ identities and reclaim space in all areas of society.
bias: the new science of race and inequality by dr. jennifer eberhardt
dr. eberhardt, a professor at stanford university, describes how unconscious bias (having critical or stereotypical views you may not even be aware of) is in *all* of us, and why it’s nothing to be ashamed of , but needs to be addressed. This book actively encourages people to do some internal self-reflection and explains how to overcome these unknowingly held biases.
when they call you a terrorist by patrisse khan-cullors and asha bandele
Co-authored with one of the founders of Black Lives Matter, this bestselling book is based on personal experience and offers an insightful and thought-provoking look at humanity, culture, and race. The title reflects the fact that Black Lives Matter has been condemned by some as a terrorist organization and discusses exactly why that couldn’t be further from the truth.
against the white feminism of rafia zakaria
If you’ve ever wondered what white feminism is and why it matters, this is the book for you. while feminism has been a great force for good for many, some women have been left behind. lawyer and activist rafia zakaria shows how poor, immigrant, non-western, and non-white women have sometimes been unconsciously, but actively, excluded from feminism. this book will make you think.
sophie williams millennial black
Being a black woman in the workplace isn’t easy, and who knows that better than author Sophie Williams? With a title that comes from her well-known instagram handle, this tome is a roadmap for young black women on how to succeed in the workplace and will make them aware of the many problems they may face. Along with tips on navigating the racial pay gap, boundaries, finding your gang, and racist abuse, there are interviews with June Sarpong, Candice Brathwaite, Munroe Bergdorf, and many more. a perfect read for fans of slay in your lane.
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candice carty-williams queenie
Queenie follows a young Jamaican-British woman trying to balance the world of romance, work life and family, with politics and personal growth. From one of today’s most celebrated British authors, Queenie’s story will have you laughing, crying and learning about black British culture in a way rarely depicted in mainstream fiction.
black and british: a forgotten history by david olusoga
There is much more to black British history than we were probably taught in schools. David Olusoga unravels the connections between Britain and the people of Africa and the Caribbean in this award-winning book. Taking us back to Roman Britain through the slave trade and beyond, this read will have you seeing history in a whole new light.
more than enough by elaine welteroth
You might recognize Welteroth from her role as a judge on Project Runway or as a former editor of Teen Vogue (she’s widely credited with infusing social awareness into the title). Her debut book has been described as “part memoir, part manifesto” and she shares her journey of rising through the ranks of journalism, fashion and life, often being the only black woman in the room. an eye-opening look at how race affects career success.
why i don’t talk to white people about race anymore by reni eddo-lodge
A book born out of a viral blog post of the same name, Eddo-Lodge (an award-winning journalist) offers invaluable insight into racism in Britain’s past and present in a now-iconic work. educational while remaining accessible, the updated edition comes with an additional chapter on what followed after the book’s publication in 2017.
british (more or less) by afua hirsch
hirsch, wimbledon journalist and author, talks about her experience of growing up in a predominantly white area, where people often ask where she is “from” and how the white-centric approach to British history is devastatingly damaging to us today. Hirsch asks what it means to be British, as well as exploring her mixed-race identity.
I am not the mother of your baby by candice brathwaite
From the founder of make motherhood divers comes a book detailing the steps to take to do just that. A prolific and powerful social media presence, Brathwaite’s debut mirrors her online content, which strives to include Black moms in the mix, whether it’s in maternity wear ads or door-to-school conversations. this tome is all the more vital after it was revealed that black British women are five times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.
me and white supremacy by layla f. sad
Split into a 28-day program, this book encourages you to take a few minutes each day to read and reflect on racial issues. saad explores white privilege, white frailty, and white supremacy and explains how they can play out in everyday life; At the end of each section, he will reflect on how this has happened in his own life and what he can do to be aware of and challenge those behaviors.
how to be an anti-racist by ibram x. kendi
Based on the premise that it is not enough to be neutral in situations of injustice and simply know that racism is wrong, Kendi calls on readers to be actively anti-racist and proactive as she details how to do so. practical change is essential when seeking to be a better ally.
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such a fun era of kiley reid
A fictional offering, Reid’s masterful narrative centers on a black nanny accused of kidnapping the white boy she cares for during a trip to the supermarket; the event is caught on camera and leads to an explosive chain of events. the remarks about liberal racism and privilege are well made throughout.
don’t touch emma dabiri’s hair
A powerful read on the importance of hair in black culture, putting everything from non-white celebrities wearing braids to the way braids helped free enslaved Africans under a microscope. hair is so much more than “just hair,” and here’s the proof.
natives by akala
A history of racism in Britain, which also explains how different races came to exist in the UK in the first place. BAFTA and MOBO award winner Akala provides a comprehensive account of why things are the way they are in the UK, including personal experiences such as the day he realized his mother was white. check out akala’s youtube videos too – he’s an amazing rapper, poet, and cultural commentator.
neighborhood feminism by mikki kendall
a deep dive into white feminism (aka feminism that disregards and exalts women of color) and its failings, which, while written by an American author, is still highly relevant to UK readers United. since the format is a collection of essays, it is easily digestible (even if the material is heavy at times). expect looks at the hypersexualization of black women, pop culture, and mental health.
the clapback: your guide to calling out racist stereotypes by Elijah Lawal
humorously debunking myths like “all black people love fried chicken, right?” And discussing why it’s not cool to ask someone “yeah, but where are you originally from?”, Lawal uses hard facts and his sharp wit to create this overview of racist stereotypes.
so you want to talk about race by ijeoma oluo
if you want to learn more about the situation in the united states, oluo’s book focuses on the racial landscape of the united states and addresses topics such as privilege, police brutality, intersectionality, microaggressions, the black movement lives matter and the n word. the book has been described as a perfect bridge between black, brown, and white readers who have questions about racial complexities.
girl, woman, another of bernadine evaristo
This unique book follows twelve characters on their journeys of self-discovery, from Cornwall to Newcastle. As all of their stories intertwine, the reader explores what it means to be black and British through various lenses, ranging from a shrewd city banker to a theater professional lesbian.
black, listed: black british culture explored by jeffrey boakye
Drawing on her own experiences and blending them with what’s happening in the bigger picture, boakye educates through humor and insightful observation as she investigates all the ways black people (and communities) have been oppressed, imitated, and celebrated. Her measured and easy-to-read writing style makes this one hard to put down once started.
citizen: an american lyrics by claudia rankine
A moving collection of prose, poetry, and cartoons, Rankine uses his book as an opportunity to study racial inequality within a “post-racist” Western society. she does so by putting everyday examples of prejudice, as well as acts of discrimination and violence, both physical and emotional, under the microscope in an almost documentary manner. an incredible mix of styles that will leave you thinking.
white fragility: why it’s so hard for white people to talk about race by robin diangelo
For those who have already read a lot on the subject or have experienced racism firsthand, this book may not seem all that revealing. however, it certainly still deserves its best-seller accolade – it explains many of the ways white people enjoy and defend white supremacy and privilege in the world, and is the perfect springboard for interesting and important conversation starters and further reading. /p>
the space between black and white by esuantsiwa jane goldsmith
Detailing Goldsmith’s life story, from growing up as the only mixed-race girl in her area to becoming the Queen Mother of her father’s village in Ghana, this is a fairly thick book at over 500 pages, but don’t let that put you off. Goldsmith’s relentless quest for more makes the story feel inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking. she talks about everything from mental health to her physical experiences and emotions, all while she explores how it feels to be mestizo. a pleasure to read and recommend.
For other ways you can help support justice for Black lives, see here.
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