As the end of the 2023-2024 academic year draws near, the Structural Racism Programming Subcommittee of the MSP Institutional Equity and Anti-Racism Committee (IEARC) is also wrapping up our third year of education programs for the MSP community!
We focus our educational efforts on structural racism – the embedding of discriminatory practices within societal institutions that result in privileging white people while perpetuating deeply ingrained inequities among historically marginalized groups. This year, we hosted a variety of experiential events including The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion’s traveling exhibit, “We Don’t Want Them” in the atrium; a visit to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; and a home screening of The Right to Read documentary film followed by a talk on adult literacy.
As you continue your own journey of learning, we share some recommended reads, watches, and listens over the summer related to structural racism. By facilitating a greater understanding of the historical and contemporary systemic issues facing marginalized populations, we hope to encourage culturally responsive practices in our field of psychology.
Check your local libraries and favorite booksellers for purchasing and borrowing options, title marked with * are available to current students through the Moustakas Johnson Library.
Non-Fiction Book Recommendations:
Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age (2001) by Kevin Boyle, PhD
Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice that Shapes What We See, Think, and Do (2020) by Jennifer I. Eberhardt, PhD
Black Detroit: A People’s History of Self-Determination (2017) by Herb Boyd
Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat From Racial Equity (2010) by Tim Wise *
How to be an Antiracist (2019) by Ibram X. Kendi, PhDB
It’s Time to Talk (and Listen): How to Have Constructive Conversations About Race, Class, Sexuality, Ability, & Gender in a Polarized World (2019) by Anatasia S. Kim, PhD, Alicia Del Prado, PhD *
Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives―and how We Break Free (2024) by Tricia Rose, PhDH
Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World (Without a Bullhorn) (2023) by Omkari Williams
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing (2017) by Joy DeGruy, PhD *
Race in North America: Origin and Evolution of a Worldview, 4th Edition by Audrey Smedley, PhD & Brian D. Smedley, PhD
Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence: Understanding and Facilitating Difficult Dialogues on Race (2015) by Derald Wing Sue, PhD *
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (2018) by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
The Talk (2023) by Darrin Bell
March: Books 1-3 (2013, 2015, 2016) By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell
Fiction Book Recommendations:
Black Bottom Saints: A Novel (2020) by Alice Randall
Homegoing (2016) by Yaa Gyasi
Such a Fun Age (2019) by Kiley Reid
The Turner House: A Novel (2015) by Angela Flournoy
The Underground Railroad (2016) by Colson Whitehead
Hot Comb (2019) by Ebony Flowers
Documentaries & Podcast Recommendations:
Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America on PBS
Last Days of Chinatown *
Racial Microaggressions: Impact and Implications for Counseling Practice featuring Derald Wing Sue *
Special thanks to the Structural Racism Programming Subcommittee (Dana Erickson, Carrie Pyeatt, Stephanie Swanberg, Kinsey Tekiele, and Candi Wilson) for their contributions to this post.
