Self-Education is the Key to Understanding

Throughout my life, I’ve watched a lot of movements take shape and transform society. Most recently, the Black Lives Matter movement has taken center stage, and rightly so. It’s through the process of self-education that I am beginning to fully understand what Black Lives Matter is really about.

The Black Lives Matter movement is so much more than individual people and singular experiences. If you assume that All Lives Matter, and think that’s enough, well. it’s not. I think that you misunderstand the point. It’s true, Of course, All Lives Matter, but the black community needs our complete, focused support now.

The Black Community Need Our Support

I’ve begun educating myself about cultural bias, the meaning of privilege, and anti-racism through reading, listening, and engaging in discussions.

I’ve also learned that It’s never too late to improve, to learn something new, and to grow. Through self-education, anything is possible.

Looking for a place to start the self-education process? Here are two of my top book recommendations and a varied movie list:

Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do
By Jennifer L. Eberhardt, PhD

“Powerful…useful for those new to the topic as well as those well-versed in the topic…Eberhardt abandons the jargon-speak of academic research and speaks to the reader’s head, heart, and soul [and] will make you think about the news, your neighborhood, your workplace, and yourself with fresh eyes.”—Forbes

Between the World and Me
By Ta-Nehisi Coates

“An eloquent blend of history, reportage, and memoir written in the tradition of James Baldwin with echoes of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man . . . It is less a typical memoir of a particular time and place than an autobiography of the black body in America. Coates writes with tenderness, especially of his wife, child, and extended family, and with frankness. Coates’s success, in this book and elsewhere, is due to his lucidity and innate dignity, his respect for himself and others. He refuses to preach or talk down to white readers or to plead for acceptance: He never wonders why we just can’t all get along. He knows government policies make getting along near impossible.”—The Boston Globe

And this list of Black films on Netflix presented by OprahMag.com is a fabulous mix of comedy, documentary, and everything in between. It is updated regularly.

I also want to take this opportunity to celebrate and amplify the voices of black artists, bloggers, writers, and creators who inspire me every day. For the next nine weeks on my Insta account, I will be featuring the talents listed here.

I also plan to highlight other incredible black talents that I have come to know through social media. Right now, I invite you to click and be amazed by each and every one of these gifted individuals.

Richmond Punch, Electric Violinist Extraordinaire, Juilliard, Yale-trained

Insta: @violinrichmond
Website: www.richmondpunch.net

Wilkine Brutus, Multimedia Journalist for WLRN, South Florida’s NPR, & a member of Washington Post/Poynter Institute’s 2019 Leadership Academy for Diversity in Digital Media

Insta: @wilkinebrutus

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/wilkinebrutus

Tracy Guiteau, Artist journaling her life through her paintings – check out her site for a chance to win a custom piece of Guiteauart

Insta: @guiteauart
Website: www.tracyguiteau.com

Harold Caudio, Skittles Artist focusing on celebrity people of color

Insta: @meetzoeblack
Website: www.haroldcaudio.com

Leslie Gray Streeter, Author Black Widow (available on Amazon). With laughter & tears, Leslie shares her journey before & after the loss of unexpectedly losing her husband, and finding herself widowed at a very early age. Leslie is also the Entertainment/Topics Columnist for The Palm Beach Post

Insta: @lesliegraystreeter
Website: www.lesliegraystreeter.com

Nkechi Ahaiwe – Digital creator & chef, whose posts will make you very hungry

Insta: @eatwhateveryouwant

Janet Montgomery, Lifestyle blogger – beauty, fashion, entertainment, & style

Insta: @frommybigeyes
Website: www.frommybigeyes.com

Dr. Jennifer Spencer & Harmony Spencer – food, travel, & lifestyle creators, featured in Essense Magazine, & owners of @perfectharmonycbd

Insta: @foodlife_tampabay
Website:  www.linktr.ee/foodlife.tampabay

LeNysha Corbett, Blogger – travel, adventure, & midlife inspiration

Insta: @fiftyfabandtraveling
Website: www.fiftyfabandtraveling

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