Racism in America: Resources for Learning, Discussion, and Celebrating Black Voices

June 17, 2024

As librarians, we believe one of our roles is to strengthen our community through sharing information. If you're looking to learn more about systemic racism and social justice, to read more about the experience of people of color in America, or for resources to talk to your children about racism, we have books for you.

In addition to the fantastic books in our collection, we also have access to a ProQuest database called Black Freedom Struggle in the United States, which features more than 1,600 primary source documents related to critical people and events in African American history, from 1790 to the present.

These book lists make it easy to place holds and save titles to your reading list. Check back here as we add more!

 

Me and White Supremacy Cover

Understanding Black Lives Matter
A Nonfiction Book List for Adults

 

 

 

 

This Book is Anti-Racist Cover

Enough is Enough: Books to Celebrate and Educate
A Book List for Kids & Parents

 

 

 

 

 

The Girl with the Louding Voice

Black Voices in Fiction
An Adult Fiction Book List, Contemporary and Classic

 

 

 

 

 

All Boys Aren't Blue

Teen Books about Racial Justice
A Book List for Young Adults

 

 

 

 

 

Black Joy

Black Essayists
Essays

 

 

 

 

 

The Tradition Cover

Black Poets
Poetry Collections for Adults

 

 

 

 

 

Notes from a Young Black Chef Cover

Cookbooks by Black Authors
Find New Favorite Recipes!

 

 

 

 

 

Black Leopard Red Wolf CoverAfricanfuturism & Fantasy
In the words of Nnedi Okorafor, these genres are "rooted in African culture, history, mythology and point-of-view... [and do] not privilege or center the West."

Black Lives Matter Protest in Portsmouth