I Can't Breathe: Resources to Understanding Black Lives Matter

In light of what is going on in the world — not only after the death of George Floyd, but what has been a massive systematic issue for centuries — I decided to gather some resources to help, to learn, and to acknowledge this time we are in. It's heartbreaking, but I and millions of others that look just like me, have felt this looming inadequacy for years. Inadequacy we did not ask for. But I pray we are the generation to end it. 

I have sifted through the hate, but I have been OVERWHELMED by the love I have received. I won't plant my roots in their ignorance, but I will plant my roots in the justice I have always known we deserved. I fight for that justice, I speak for that justice, and I will continue to educate myself on that justice. The ones who have come before me, the ones who have lost their lives, and the ones that have devoted their lives to activism have paved the way for us to speak and we will not take that for granted. 

Below, are resources that I have been working my way through to become more informed myself! Thank you to those who have been open to learning a new point of view and new content. This is a journey that I think we can win, and I genuinely hope and pray y'all stay along for every moment of this fight. Lots of love to each and every one of you, I will be praying for all of our hearts to be more like His. 

To Read

- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

- How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi 

- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander 

- White Rage by Carol Anderson, Ph.D.

- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

- Can We Talk About Race? By Beverly Daniel Tatum

- A list of books written by black women in 2020

- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson 

- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin 

- They Can't Kill Us All by Layla Saad
- Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
- Why I Am No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

To Listen

- 1619 by The New York Times

- Pod Save the People 

- Truth Be Told

- Seeing White 

- Fare of the Free Child
- NPR Code Switch
- Invisibilia
- The Nod
- Identity Politics
- Still Processing
- In Black America
- Scene on the Radio
- Crossing Fences
- The Stoop

To Watch 

- 13th (Netflix)

- American Son (Netflix) 

- Dear White People (Netflix)

- When They See Us (Netflix)

- King in the Wilderness (HBO)

- If Beale Street Could Talk (Hulu)
- The Hate You Give (Hulu)
- See You Yesterday (Netflix)
- Roxanne (Netflix)
- Strong Island (Netflix)
- What Happened To Miss Simone? (Netflix)
- Mudbound (Netflix)
- LA 92 (Netflix)
- Malcolm X (Netflix)

To Donate

- Donate directly to George Floyd's family

- Reclaim the Block 

- The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund

- Black Lives Matter 

To Educate Children

- Hidden Figures 

- Let the Children March

- We March

- Parker Looks Up 

To Support Black-Owned in Birmingham 

- 17 Black-Owned Birmingham Retail Shops

- 17 Black-Owned Birmingham Restaurants

- 15 Black-Owned Bakeries + Dessert Shops

To Support Black-Owned Brands
 - @riotswim
- @thejungalow
- @fenoel
- @sorellaboutique
- @nubianskin
- @shethecollection
- @thehoneypotco
- @zelieforshe
- @thealexandrawinbush
- @nonamenoshade
- @_egoswim
- @jadefoxco
- @menogudesigns
- @zulaessentials
- @brothervellies
- @klur.co
- @gethyperskin
- @mysunday2sunday
- @thelipbar
- @bossylipstick
- @mischobeauty
- @ouithepeople
- @briogeo
- @marenabeaute

Instagram accounts that give more educational resources 

- @theeverymom

- @brenna_anastasia

- @bhamnow

- @blklivesmatter

To hear from other strong black voices follow these Instagram accounts:

 @ruthieridley    @brenna_anastasia      @stephtaylorjackson     @yourpaljordyn     @colormecourtney

 @thenorthernbelleofthesouth     @awedbymoni     @waityouneedthis     @kameronmonet

 @grasiemercedes    @karenbritchick     @scoutthecity    @tamumcpherson   

@cocobassey     @thestylethesaurus   @mossonyi   @simplycyn    @slipintostyle    @chrissyford

@nycxclothes    @freddieharrel     @findingpaola     @monroesteele    @marie_mag_    @theyusufs

@darling_tee     @troprouge    @rantinreview     @influencingincolor     @thelipbar

There are so many other resources than the ones above, and I encourage you to look into others as we update it and we continue our fight. If you have any suggestions or any personal experiences please comment — I would love to hear from you!