LibGuides: Black Lives Matter: Challenging Racism in Ourselves, Our Community and Our Country: More Food for Thought: Essays, Letters, Podcasts, Speeches, Timelines

The Case for Reparations

"The Case for Reparations" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
In this article, award-winning essayist, novelist and graphic novelist Coates argues for reparations for all African Americans, as a means of acknowledging the contributions of enslaved peoples to the United States, and as a step in healing systemic racism.
Reparations for Slavery, article
An in-depth article from CQ Researcher, that examines the history of slavery and enslaved people in the US, the history of reparations to other groups in the United States including Japanese Americans interned during WWII, Native Americans and Native Hawaiians, and the arguments pro and con for cash reparations to African Americans today.

Letter to Thomas Jefferson, 1791, Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson, 1791
Benjamin Banneker, a free African-American author, surveyor (including Washington, D.C), landowner and farmer, eloquently argues against slavery with Thomas Jefferson.

"A More Perfect Union" speech, Barack Obama, 2008

Listen to the audio recording of "A More Perfect Union" by Barack Obama.

Read the transcript of Obama's speech.

"A More Perfect Union" speech, Barack Obama, 2008

The Question of Black Identity: episode from the "Historically Black" podcast

"The Question of Black Identity", Historically Black podcast episode
This episode explores the question of black identity in America through the voices of four people who, at one time or another, have had to answer the question: What are you?

Medical Inequalities Between White Americans and POC Americans

Racism, Inequality, and Health Care for African Americans
In-depth article examining the inequalities in American healthcare between white Americans and POC, especially focusing on African Americans.
Summary of findings of "Racism, Inequality and Healthcare for African Americans" article

A History of US Immigration Laws

The United States has enacted immigration laws since 1790. Learn about the inherent racism contained in many of these immigration laws passed over the past 230 years, by restricting the entrance of immigrants from specific countries, races, ethnic groups, and religions.

United States Immigration Timeline, history.com

Racially-motivated Violence in the United States: Race Riots Timeline

Racial Violence in the United States Since 1660: Timeline
"Regrettably racial violence has been a distinct part of American history since 1660. While that violence has impacted almost every ethnic and racial group in the United States, it has had a particularly horrific effect on African American life."