Voices to Listen to During Black History Month and Beyond
February is Black History Month, and while we should all be listening to Black voices every month of the year, this month the focus is on how Black people have helped to shape the many spaces that we find ourselves in every day. From the history of how Black people arrived on Turtle Island to their foundations in arts and culture to the expertise of Black scholars in psychotherapy, the sciences, and politics, understanding the multifaceted perspectives that Black voices convey is integral to moving forward in a society that values anti-oppression.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of people to learn from and to listen carefully to. As a note of importance when considering anti-oppressive learning or unlearning, marginalized voices should always be compensated for their work and emotional labour. Please consider purchasing books directly from the writers or donating to a local Black run organization this month if these recommendations resonate with you.
Books
https://www.decolonizingtherapy.com/
https://jemartisby.com/how-to-fight-racism/
https://adriennemareebrown.net/
https://www.sonyareneetaylor.com/
https://michelleobamabooks.com/
Podcasts:
Code Switch https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV?si=9b9975588c3844cc
Therapy for Black Girls https://open.spotify.com/show/7kPXrtK66kXyiqpKTtsqNN?si4e19960e60df4625
Black History Year https://open.spotify.com/show/3bu4McGaobqsMv7JxAnHgC?si=6660a9c732384697
The Stoop https://open.spotify.com/show/68pMSb4dzcYCIAluKCXPk8?si=2afe214a28454042
Black History for White People https://open.spotify.com/show/2FUVtLeFfAHVLZznVbCrkJ?si=67fa4b8bdd71406f
While Black https://open.spotify.com/show/5cNtYlCvUsvgZqBpDRT7YX?si=6285d8b766ec43c0
Black Family Table Talk https://open.spotify.com/show/54efopFCHYltYpQVvxFM6Y?si=a3e3ff358b4a4e5c
Jemele Hill is Unbothered https://open.spotify.com/show/1SXD1U55jqbK9HHoPvdbsw?si=a182e8fc9e434eb5
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/blklivesmatter/
https://www.instagram.com/colorofchange/
https://www.instagram.com/statuesse
https://www.instagram.com/_dfretter
https://www.instagram.com/taylormadeyyc
https://www.instagram.com/minaa_b/
https://www.instagram.com/alex/
https://www.instagram.com/decolonizingtherapy/
https://www.instagram.com/nedratawwab/
https://www.instagram.com/blackcoffeewithwhitefriends/
https://www.instagram.com/arcvancouver_/
https://www.instagram.com/blackwomenconnectvancouver/
https://www.instagram.com/blacknorthca/
https://www.instagram.com/hogans.alley/
https://www.instagram.com/deidrariggs/
https://www.instagram.com/alyssagtyghter/
https://www.instagram.com/mpjinstitute/
https://www.instagram.com/mynameisjessamyn/
https://www.instagram.com/ihartericka/
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@theconsciouslee
https://www.tiktok.com/@alexisnikole
https://www.tiktok.com/@housepuritty
https://www.tiktok.com/@portia.noir
https://www.tiktok.com/@spiritualxp
https://www.tiktok.com/@white_woman_whisperer
https://www.tiktok.com/@luvvie
https://www.tiktok.com/@jullyblack
https://www.tiktok.com/@thisbliss
https://www.tiktok.com/@ebonywarriorstudios
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BlackVisionsMN
https://www.facebook.com/beabridgebuilder
https://www.facebook.com/BlackMentalWellness
https://www.facebook.com/akomavancouver
https://www.facebook.com/BMHCINC
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BLACKCANADA
https://www.facebook.com/intheblackcanada
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sandylocks
https://twitter.com/stewartdantec
https://twitter.com/rachelcargle
https://twitter.com/MsPackyetti
What to watch:
· When They See Us
· 13th
· Hidden Figures
· Selma
· For Life
· Descendant
· I Am Not Your Negro
· Between The World and Me
· Summer of Soul
· MLK/FBI
· The 1619 Project
· Malcolm X