BLM: follow, watch, read, listen

Less than six months into the new decade, it is safe to say that the world looks quite different from the everyday life we left behind in 2019. From the devestating Australian bushfires to a raging pandemic, 2020 is certainly a year that will be hard to forget. However, the new year has not only brought change of negative impact: The push for the Black Lives Matter movement we have witnessed in the past month has been incredible in both scope and persistence. While this wave of protests was born from the brutal murder of George Floyd, this tragedy quickly turned into a symbol of a long history of cases in similar character and how racism is still very much alive and permeates every aspect of society.

More people are waking up to their bias and privilege, and as a result, we are seeing a much needed increase when it comes to interest in spreading awareness, developing personal understanding and support of black creators. Working actively against racism is essential, but where do you start this kind of journey? Here is a list of recommendations for who and what to watch, read, listen and follow this week to boost your awareness:

Follow

If you follow three new people this week:

Gabrielle Richardson

Gabrielle Richardson goes by the name Frida Chashflow on Instagram. Aside from being a successful model for a number of influential brands, she is an activist and the founder of @browngirlbutterflyproject - a female and non-binary safe space and community. She is also a curator for Art Hoe Collective and is now working on starting up a grant initiative for black and brown artists.

Tyler Mitchell

You might know Tyler Mitchell as the a director of Brockhampton’s ‘Dirt’ music video, or for being the photographer behind Beyonce’s Vogue cover. Despite his young age, Tyler’s career is one that most people can only dream of. Now his first first monograph is available fore pre-order. I Can Make You Feel Good, in which he captures Black life “in immersive full bleed with amazing essays/contributions.”

Tara Thomas

Tara Thomas is the executive chef at Che, a Brooklyn-based eatery focusing on sustainability and honouring food traditions of Grenada, Mexico, and Africa: “I want this space to honour the overall black community and our common roots in Africa and fuse the flavours from the overall human experience of food.” Read about Tara and how she put together this menu here.

Watch

If you watch one documentary this week: 13th

SET IN: Historical footage and present-day interviews. RELEASE DATE: 2016.

QUOTE: “It’s about re-huminising us as people.”

13th is the perfect documentary to start your awarness journey with, as it explores the segregation, dehumanisation and incarceration of black Americans that is often neglected in history class. It follows the history of racism in the US, from the days of cotton farms, to the civil rights movement in the 60s and the war on drugs, to the present day.

If you watch one romantic indie film this week: Losing Ground

SET IN: 80s. RELEASE DATE: 1982.

QUOTE: “We are not alone. The spirits of those gone before guide our steps,our traditions,our beliefs. We are not alone. The care of those around us leads us to healing and wholeness and comfort.”

Losing Ground is the first feature-length film directed by an African-American woman. It is a heartwarming romantic comedy that despite going unnoticed for decades, was restored by the director Kathleen Collins’ daughter in 2015 to be shown at Film at Lincoln Center. It is a piece of art and history that is worth every second of its 86 min runtime, and the passion the director had for the project shines through every part of the story.

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If you watch one crowd favourite this week: The Hate U give

SET IN: Present. RELEASE DATE: 2018.

QUOTE: “ It’s the same story just a different name.”

Being afraid to speak up, brutally losing friends, and learning from a young age that you should fear the poliece: The hate U give has become a crowd favourite for the way it portrays growing up as a black American in today’s society.

Read

If you need any book tips, follow: Mayowa Olumayowa

Mayowa Olumayowa, specialises in African literature and shares insightful book-reviews on Instagram. Regardless of what genre you prefer, Mayowa has something for you. In need to a book right now? Read her in-depht book review of Stay with me by Ayobami Adebayo!

Listen

If you listen to one podcast this week: Go off, Sis

MEDIUM: PODCAST. EPISODE: For the Culture?

CREATOR: Refinery29

QUOTE: “We are talking black excellency and your problematic fate.”

For the culture is a one hour long podcast by Go off, sis. In this episode, they discuss the questions “what is the responsibility of an artist in this time? And why are we looking celebrities what the political science is?” with reference to Micheal Jackson, Kanye West and so many others.

If you watch one Ted Talk this month: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable by Luvvie Ajayi

Medium/genre: Lecture

Creator: Ted

Quote: “Your silence serves no one”

If you listen to three new artists/ bands this week:

Spencer.

genre: R&B

Spencer’s music is defies simple categorisation but you can expect a beautiful mixture of soft blues and indie rock. With his 90s inspired album art and velvety vocals - you should be prepared to be swept off your feet to tunes that feel unique yet timeless.

Fade em’ all

genre: Afropunk

Fade Em’ All are reclaiming the punk genre within the black and brown communities. With their new sonic sounds mixed with classic hip tunes, they are establishing their name within the punk genre, whilst introducing new beats and vocals.

Ibeyi

genre: Electro

The twins Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz creates tunes with Afro-Cuban roots and electro doom soul. They sing in English, French, Spanish and Yoruba - a language their ancestors spoke before they were taken to Cuba as slaves in the 1700s.