Podcasts

In one of the many rich scenes of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America”, a group of teens sit with their cell phones out pointed at the chaos unfolding around them. The lyrics proclaim “This a celly (ha)/ That's a tool (yeah)” but whether the cell phones are tools of distraction or of resistance are unclear. In the context of the song, it’s likely both. This list, however, explores one way they might be used as tools for social revolution, specifically as a way of listening to podcasts.

TED Talks

The moto for TED Talks is “Ideas change everything.” Unsurprisingly, Blacks fighting for social equality and justice have called the medium to task and used it as a way to address systemic racism and violence. The short lectures showcase voices from educators, artists, politicians, inventors, and innovators seeking to create just societies for global populations. These talks spark critical conversations and challenge misconceptions while also inspiring empathy.

Interviews & Conversations

Interviews and discussions play pivotal roles in shaping the public discourse on systemic racism, inequality, and the lived experiences of Black people. These moments often serve as cultural touchstones, challenging societal norms and encouraging deep reflection about race, privilege, and justice. We might look to James Baldwin’s conversation with Dick Cavett or, much later, Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives roundtable on mental health as examples of impactful exchanges. Such discussions highlight how race intersects with other social issues, such as class, gender, and economic disparity, while also showing how racialized experiences transcend national borders. Furthermore, they serve as pivotal moments for fostering public reflection on longstanding societal inequalities and offer opportunities for action and reform.

Games

Gaming has become a major industry; it is a form of cultural exchange and community building. Educators have used games as a form of engagement for over a generation now. Indeed, games such as This War of Mine have even become part of national curriculum. Yet Blacks are globally underrepresented both as game designers and creators, and as subjects. Groups and movements like Games for Change hope to inspire underrepresented people to enter the gaming world and use the form in the fight for social and ecological justice.

Websites and Other Projects

Coded Black is one of many projects devoted to ending racism. There are many others involved in this struggle that have publicly accessible projects. This is a fight that requires the work of many hands if we are to ever hope to achieve freedom for everyone in the US and UK. Below are just some of the examples of the social justice work available online. Read, engage, act, and pass it on.