"IT IS NOT OUR DIFFERENCES THAT DIVIDE US. IT IS OUR INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE, ACCEPT, AND CELEBRATE THOSE DIFFERENCES." -AUDRe LORDE
We want to share what we are listening to, reading and watching with you for when you have a moment to take a break. This content will have a lens of anti-oppression and will also encourage empowerment and joy!
What we're watching:
Maya Angelou’s On the Pulse of the Morning: As one of the most celebrated and impactful writers of our time, Dr. Maya Angelou was an American author, actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet and civil rights activist. Although less quoted than her other pieces, Dr. Angelou recited this poem at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration in 1993 making her the second poet in history to read a poem at a presidential inauguration, the first African American and first woman. If your changemaking energies are low, consider yourself recharged with this piece.
The Skin We're In: Pulling back the curtain on racism in Canada - CBC Docs POV: Urgent, controversial, and undeniably honest, The Skin We’re In is a wake-up call to complacent Canadians. Racism is here. It is everywhere. It is us and we are it. Following celebrated journalist Desmond Cole as he researches his hotly anticipated book, this documentary from acclaimed director Charles Officer pulls back the curtain on racism in Canada
"The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman: In her inauguration poem, Gorman says, "skinny Black girl, / Descended from slaves and raised by a single mother, / Can dream of becoming president, / Only to find herself reciting for one.”
What we're listening to:
Queer Muslim Resistance: A podcast from OPIRG Kingston centering queer Muslim dreaming for collective liberation.
Podcast, Code Switch: Honest conversations about race from and American perspective, hosted by journalists of colour,
Podcast, Black Frasier, specifically episode 6 with ALOK: Gender non-conforming writer and performance artist, ALOK, joins comedian Phoebe Robinson to talk about degendering fashion and identity. It's a very empowering episode and conversation about allowing yourself to be exactly who you are. They also discuss what brands and corporations need to support NGC artists. You can listen where you listen to podcasts.
Podcast, Herstorically Speaking: Black-Indigenous teacher, Alyssa Gray-Tygther, uncovers how the stories of our past shape our future. Alyssa focuses specifically on Black History in Canada.
Monday morning musings with Michael Bach: As the founder and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), Michael Bach is nationally recognized as a thought leader and subject matter expert in the fields of diversity, inclusion and employment equity. Michael shares weekly thoughts and rants on various issues related to all things diversity and inclusion.
Podcast, Made to Lead: Listen to professional and personal stories of people of African descent. The episodes highlight their challenges, dreams and achievements. Get inspired!
Inauguration Playlist: Sounds like a restoration of Democracy in America! Read more about this playlist in this Vulture article.
What we're reading:
They Said This Would be Fun, Eternity Martis: Eternity reflects on her experience attending Western university as a Black woman. She touches on campus life and dating.
The Skin I'm In, Desmond Cole: Desmond Cole is a Canadian journalist and activist. In his 2015 cover story for Toronto Life magazine, Desmond Cole exposed the racist actions of the Toronto police force, detailing the dozens of times he had been stopped and interrogated under the controversial practice of carding. In this book, Month-by-month, Cole creates a comprehensive picture of entrenched, systemic inequality
More Than Enough, Elaine Welteroth: As a young boss and often the only Black woman in the room, Welteroth shares her experience navigating the corporate world as well as the complexities of being a mixed race woman.
Anything and everything on byblacks.com: ByBlacks.com is the top-ranked award-winning online magazine focused exclusively on telling Black Canadian stories. With over one hundred writers to date covering a range of editorial content, we also provide a free business directory for Black Canadian owned busine sses, free events listing and promotional services for our clients.
The Queer Colouring Book: (Canadian!): Concept & Text by Tom Hooper Art & Design by Mickayla Jia & Julie Bica, this colouring book is sure to help you relax.
Queer History Crosswords: This crossword is a part of the Canadian Centre Gender Sexual Diversity History Initiative.