LibGuides: Anti-Racism Resources: Reading Materials

Reading Materials on Anti-Racism and the History of Racism

There are many previously-compiled and newly-available lists of suggested readings on the history and legacy of racism in the United States, and efforts that should be made to confront that history and legacy. Biddle will continue adding to this index of suggested reading lists and links for accessing those materials through our library, other Penn Libraries, and outside resources.

We welcome suggestions for additions. Please contact us to share any you have found useful.

Compiled Lists of Suggested Readings

African American Literature Book Club
Anti-Racism Resources
An Anti-Racist Reading List, Ibram X. Kendi
Anti-Racist Resources and Reads: Lists for All Ages
Reading lists and resources grouped by age, compiled by the Evanston Public Library.
The Anti-Racist Starter Pack: 40 TV Series, Documentaries, Movies, TED Talks, and Books to Add to Your List
An Antiracist Poetry Reading List
The Bronx Book Festival Online Bookstore
The Brown Bookshelf
The Brown Bookshelf is designed to push awareness of the myriad Black voices writing for young readers.
A Nonfiction Antiracist Reading List
Schomburg Center Black Liberation Reading List
For 95 years, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has preserved, protected, and fostered a greater understanding of the Black experience through its collections, exhibitions, programs, and scholarship. In response to the uprisings across the globe demanding justice for Black lives, the Schomburg Center has created a Black Liberation Reading List.
Social Justice Books
A selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, YA, and educators.
Syllabus: 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge
The Council of the ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law is participating in the “21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge ©,” conceived several years ago by diversity expert Eddie Moore, Jr. to advance deeper understandings of the intersections of race, power, privilege, supremacy and oppression. Section members can register to participate, and the list of materials is publicly available.

Commentaries and Analyses

Don’t Just Read About Racism—Read Stories About Black People Living
Nic Stone, author of the best-selling young adult novel Dear Martin, explains why your anti-racist reading lists aren’t enough.
Our Modern Minstrelsy
Kekla Magoon in The Horn Book, June 10, 2020, on the challenges to diversifying the canon.
People Are Marching Against Racism. They're Also Reading About It. (NYTimes.com)
Several Antiracist Books Are Selling Out. Here's What Else Black Booksellers and Publishers Say You Should Read
Suyin Haynes, Time, June 2, 2020
This List Of Books, Films And Podcasts About Racism Is A Start, Not A Panacea
A reading, viewing and watching list compiled by NPR's Isabella Rosario, of books, films and podcasts about systemic racism, acknowledging that they are just books, films and podcasts.
What Is an Anti-Racist Reading List For?
An essay in Vulture by Lauren Michele Jackson, Professor of English and African American Studies at Northwestern University, on the purpose and uses of reading lists.