Activist Resources

In this section are a variety of brochures, pamphlets, book lists, video recommendations, and workbooks that you can use either as a group or as individuals or actions you can take that can move people’s awareness and understanding forward. Please note resources specific to Indigenous people (Native Americans) can be found in the Journey for Healing section)

Political Prisoners in the US

and Actions that can be taken

A political prisoner is someone in jail for their political activity. The “Political offense” is not always the official reason for the prisoner’s detention.

There is no internationally recognized legal definition of the concept, although there is a general consensus among scholars that “individuals have been sanctioned by legal systems and imprisoned by political regimes not for their violation of codified laws but for their thoughts and ideas that have fundamentally challenged existing power relations”. The status of a political prisoner is generally awarded to individuals based on declarations of “Non-governmental organizations” like “Amnesty International”, on a case-by-case basis.

MUMIA ABU-JAMAL: A Case for Reasonable Doubt?

John Edginton’s award-winning explosive film examines the case of America’s most renowned death row inmate, exposing a broken justice system that has confined MUMIA ABU-JAMAL to prison for almost 40 years. His case has received international attention and supporters have rallied behind him in their persistent quest for justice. Includes Mumia Abu-Jamal’s exclusive death row interview. Originally made for HBO. 1996.

Brilliant and fast paced
—Washington Post

Compelling
—LA Times

Constructs a strong argument for reasonable doubt
—New York Times

While we are talking about Political Prisoners in the United States…

There’s the case of Leonard Peltier

WHO IS LEONARD PELTIER

Leonard Peltier is a citizen of the Anishinabe and Lakota Nations. He has been behind bars since 1975, making him the longest-serving political prisoner in U.S. history. Amnesty International considers him a “political prisoner” who should be “immediately and unconditionally released.” To many Indigenous Peoples, he is a symbol of the long history of abuse and repression they have endured.

Annotated Bibliographies (Books and Video)

Video Links

We will be adding more links all the time so check back often. To add some that you have found interesting send to us including a brief description. And, of course, let us know if any no longer are available.

Book list

These books are listed in no particular order. Check them out as you feel led. We are adding more all the time; to add others that you have found interesting. send your recommendations to us with brief descriptions. And, of course, please let us know if any no longer are relevant.

Multicultural Children’s Books

A bibliography of different multicultural children’s books.

Anti-Racism websites

Talking About Race
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
“Talking about race, although hard, is necessary. We are here to provide tools and guidance to empower your journey and inspire conversation.”
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Dismantling Racism
“Dismantling Racism Works (dRworks) is pleased to offer our workbook and other resources. We hope you find the material here useful to you, your organization, and your community. “
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Zinn Education Project
For more than ten years, the Zinn Education Project has introduced students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula.

Racists in Recovery Anonymous Booklet

Click image to view/download “Racists in Recovery Anonymous” booklet.

Neighborhood Safety and Stereotype

The following Neighborhood Safety and Stereotype could be very useful to distribute in a wide variety of settings.

Click image to view/download full brochure

Dragon Panel Project

The purpose of the original Dragon Panel Project is to bear witness to violence against people of color. It is similar to the Clothesline Project which was also created by Rachel Carey-Harper to bring awareness to violence against women. The Dragon Panel Project grew out of a “Vigil for Victims of Hate Crimes: Holding in the Light Those who Suffer Vicious Human Rights Violations” initiated by James Varner at New England Yearly Meeting in 2013. For that event, Rachel creating two panels on black foam core that named Trayvon Martin and James Bird. The following year she added a panel for Michael Brown.

Soon after this, Rachel created a dragon by adding more panels, a dragon head, and tail, and the Dragon Panel Project was born.

The Dragon continued to grow and in 2018 inspiration came to Rachel to design a companion piece to celebrate “ordinary” people of color who’ve done extraordinary things and the Dragon of Many Colors was created.

Freedom & Justice Crier

A Publication of the Racial, Social, Economic Justice Committee of New England Yearly Meeting (Quakers)

Summer 2006

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Other Assorted Resources

Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation

A six-session discussion guide from the website Everyday Democracy to help all kinds of people take part in meaningful dialogue to examine gaps among racial and ethnic groups and create institutional and policy change.” This guide presents a lot of useful information and is full of helpful ways of initiating conversation.

Racial, Social & Economic Justice Haggadah

The following Haggadah, the text recited at the Seder on the first two nights of the Jewish Passover, was created with a racial justice theme for a diverse group.

Let’s Talk

Talking, just having an open-ended conversation, can be a useful strategy. Simply print out and fold “table tents” with the above or similar images and put them on tables during a group mealtime.
“Let’s Talk” is a PDF resource created by Teaching Tolerance that shares with educators strategies to facilitate difficult conversations about race and racism.

Introduction

Definitions

Facts

Maps

Assessment Tools

History

Appropriation / Aggression

White Privilege / Supremacy

Public Displays

Performance Art

Workshops