In addition to reading all the things, it’s important to give yourself time to digest and reflect on what you consumed. Every month we’ll share and summarize something from our library in hopes to foster understanding and ignite conversation. Here are some key takeaways in this month’s, What We’re Reading, In-Depth!
Book: “Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements”
Author: Charlene Carruthers
“Unapologetic” is a powerful manifesto that calls for a radical reimagining of movements for justice, centering the experiences of Black, queer, and feminist voices. The personal narrative and political analysis challenges readers to confront systemic inequalities by focusing on marginalized communities in the following ways:
- Support and engage in grassroots organizing efforts that empower and mobilize community members to create change.
- Foster solidarity across different movements and communities to create a stronger, more inclusive network for collective action.
- Prioritize reparations to rectify historical injustices and address ongoing disparities, particularly economic reparations for Black communities.
- Embrace restorative practices to heal communities harmed by systemic oppression. Prioritize healing and rebuilding rather than punitive measures.
- Adopt an intersectional lens to acknowledge and address the unique challenges faced by individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups. Create spaces and initiatives that affirm the identities and experiences of marginalized individuals within the community.
- Actively seek out and amplify Black, queer, and feminist voices in all aspects of the decision-making processes.
How then can we hold ourselves and institutions accountable to one another and the work ahead?
- Implement transparent, clear and measurable goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and regularly assess progress.
- Foster a culture of ongoing education and self-reflection to challenge biases, promote awareness and shift power.
- Develop channels for feedback from marginalized communities to ensure that initiatives are meeting their needs.
- Actively work towards equitable distribution of resources, acknowledging historical disparities and prioritizing investment in marginalized communities.
- Use influence to advocate for policy changes that address systemic issues and promote justice on a broader scale.
Any questions?! Let us know.