College of Forestry

Graduate Student Council

Anti-Racism Resources

The Graduate Student Council has put together resources for CoF graduate students to become more involved in the fight against systemic racism. It can be intimidating in the face of such injustice to act, especially for those who are privileged, however it is time to work to create a safer and more just society. Many have come together to protest against police brutality, and we must direct this energy into making changes in our own lives and community as well. Resources include links of where to donate funds (bail and legal-council), books and articles to learn more about anti-racist work and opportunities to self-reflect, as well as how racism relates to natural resources and the environment. We encourage you to donate, read, watch, and listen!

Resources

Here’s a link to local bail funds for protesters across the country. Here’s a list of anti-racism resources for white folks to deepen their anti-racism work.

And here are a few groups in MN and beyond:

  • George Floyd Memorial Fund
  • Minnesota Freedom Fund: Community based nonprofit that pays criminal bail and immigration bonds for individuals who have been arrested while protesting policy brutality
  • Black Visions Collective: A black, trans, & queer led organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence and shifting the public narrative to create transoformative long-term change.
  • Reclaim the Block: Coalition that advocates for and invests in community led safety initiatives in Minneapolis
  • Campaign Zero: Online platform and organization that utilizes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America
  • Unicorn Riot: Non-profit organization that is dedicated to exposing the root causes of dynamic social and environmental issues
  • The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) seeks to reach millions, mobilize hundreds of thousands, and organize tens of thousands, so that Black political power is a force able to influence national and local agendas in the direction of our shared Vision for Black Lives.

Portland, OR Specific!

  • PDX General Defense Fund: The General Defense Committee Local 1 in Portland, Oregon, has established a fundraiser to cover bail and other legal expenses for protesters arrested in Portland, Oregon in connection to protests against George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police, along with general police brutality. 

If you’re able to be out in the streets, make sure to have the local number of your National Lawyers Guild. Also write the phone number of someone who can bail you out of jail on your arm if you’re participating in protests.

Here’s a link that includes multiple websites by which you can donate money to support the families of those who lost their lives at the hands of police brutality/racism/injustice, and/or support protestors who have been apprehended for fighting at the front lines for these lost lives: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1X4-YS3vFn5CLL9QtJSU0xqmTh_h8XilXgOqGAjZISBI/mobilebasic

 

List of book resources for personal reflection:

  • From BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation, by Keeanga-Yahmatta Taylor
  • From Slave Cabins to the White House: Homemade Citizenship in African American Culture, by Koritha Mitchell
  • Crook County: Racism & Injustice in America’s Largest Criminal Court, by Nicole Gonzalez van Cleve
  • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander
  • White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin Diangelo
  • White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, by Carol Anderson
  • How To Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide, by Crystal Fleming
  • A people’s history of the US, by Howard Zinn 
  • The End of Policing, by Alex Vitale
  • Me and My White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad
  • Blood in the Face by James Ridgeway

List of novels and fiction books by Black Authors:

Kid-friendly books for folks with children:

  • We’re Different, We’re the Same (Sesame Street), by Bobi Kates
  • Antiracist Baby, by Ibram X. Kendi 
  • The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson
  • Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt De La Pena (tilde over the n)
  • The Other Side, by Jaqueline Woodson
  • Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester
  • Hair Love, by Matthew Cherry 
  • Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jaqueline Woodson
  • The Hate You Give, by Angie Thomas

Book availability and access:

If you are unable to afford/access these books, let us know and we may be able to help provide them via GSC funding. Also, GSC encourages you to become a member of your local library! The Overdrive App gives access to the Benton County Library online! Rent audiobooks or kindle books for FREE! 

 

 Curious as to how all this relates to natural resources and the environment? Here are some starter resources on environmental racism and environmental justice: