The purpose of this page is to share with each other the resources on anti-racism and the fight against white supremacy that have motivated change in our lives, and at our studio. Below are suggested resources from teachers, trainees, and students in our Bella Prāṇa Wellness Collective community, as well as our owners and management team.
Photo generously donated by @everydopegirl and @herplaceisin
WEBSITES
Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources
Black Lives Matter Website recommended by the management team at Bella Prāṇa
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man with Emmanuel Acho recommended by Tina Tidwell, Owner
Yoga Alliance Anti-Racism Resources recommended by Roni and Tina, Owners
Racism in the Workplace recommended by Ashley Adams
“As we work to make the world better it is important for us to seek out where our blind spots may be. Here is an additional resource that offers an opportunity for further growth and understanding.” – Ashley Adams, Founder of Black Prāṇa Magazine and a member of The Collective management team.
BOOKS & WRITINGS
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
“As a white woman I felt confused where to begin to unpack my privilege and it’s affect on others. This book gives you journaling questions to work through each day and forces you to look deep inside your own bias. Every white person should read this book.” – Roni Elissabeth, Founder & Owner
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
“This book was really eye opening to all the ways society has protected me as a white person from experiencing myself racially and to the extremely predictable defense mechanisms we white people use to avoid confronting the topic of race.” – Tina Tidwell Bedore, Owner
So you Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Olua
“Ijeoma speaks from the voice of a gay bi-racial woman, disclosing real life experiences with racism in America. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to dismantle white supremacy in their community.” – Emily Tan, Creative Director
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
“Morrison outlines the poignancy in one little black girl’s story that too many of us folks felt the day we looked in the mirror and realized our beauty would always be considered “different”. – Chanel Vanzant, Instructor
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
“This book was a unique literary experience. The true story of a white man, who made his skin appear black and immersed himself in another culture so that he could report back on the reality of being black in America. This book was raw and challenging.” – Roni Elissabeth, Owner
Radical Dharma by angle Kyodo williams
“Radical Dharma gives voice to a population which has a history of being marginalized in spiritual communities. The stories and voices shared on these pages are a meaningful and impactful narration about racism, belonging, inclusivity and spiritual freedom.” – Jessica Lynne Trese, Director of Teacher Training
I’m Still Here, Black Dignity in a World Make for whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
“In this book Austin shares her story of living and working in a world designed to uplift white people and white culture. She challenges the reader to take responsibility for where we contribute to these inequities.” – Roni Elissabeth, Owner
Skill in Action by Michelle Johnson
“Michelle Johnson’s Skill In Action asks that we root our powerful practice of yoga in social justice to dismantle white supremacy and pursue a world in which all of us are liberated. It is heavily influenced by the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient yogic text on the significance of pursuing one’s dharma (purpose) and duty even when confronted with doubt, fear, and other distractions that might draw us away from our path.” – Tayo, Instructor & Desk Angel
How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
“Ibram X. Kendi walks us through his life as the child of activists and lays out his academic perspective on race and the history oppression. He dives into many topics and perspectives that will open your mind and demand reflection.” – Roni Elissabeth, Owner
When Feminism is White Supremacy in Heels by Rachel Cargle
“Rachel Cargle brings to light the ways white women minimize the experiences of women of color and encourages an intersectional conversation about women’s rights that recognizes the needs of all women.” – Roni Elissabeth, Owner
PEOPLE TO CONSIDER FOLLOWING
Ava DuVernay – suggested by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
Susanna Barkataki – suggested by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
Koya Webb – suggested by Megan Weathers, Director of Operations
Rachel Cargle – suggested by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
Trevor Noah – suggested by Bret Harris, Student
Rupi Kaur – suggested by Ami Joshi, Instructor
Austin Channing Brown– suggested by Tina Tidwell, Owner
Cleo Wade – suggested by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
Nikita Gill – recommended by Amee Joshi, Instructor
Baratunde Thurston – recommended by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
Nicole Walters – recommended by Megan Weathers, Director of Operations
VIDEOS & LECTURES
Post Traumatic Slave Disorder with Dr. Joy Degruy recommended by Ashley Adams, 300hr Training Graduate & Instructor
Racism Experiment in Children – recommended by Eric Yanta Smith, Student
“We as Black American’s get tired of educating white America on something a lot of people think doesn’t exist. This video helps people understand how it feels to be discriminated against, because you are likely to feel children’s pain more than you feel ours.” – Eric
26 Mini Films on Race, Bias, & Identity recommended by Emily Tan, former Boutique Director at The Collective
“This mini series speaks to all races, views, opinions, principles and perspectives. I have committed to challenge myself everyday to see from other peoples perspectives, especially when they are not my own.” -Emily
Good Trouble a Documentary on Congressman John Lewis recommended by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
“This documentary walks you through some of the many highlights in the impactful life of Senator and Activist John Lewis. He told people to ‘get into trouble…good trouble…necessary trouble’.” – Roni
Coming to Terms with Racism’s Inertia a TedTalk with writer, academic, and activist Rachel Cargle. In this talk Rachel addresses the modern manifestations of the racism the US was built on and calls for more intentional accountability, allyship and anti-racist action. -recommended by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
PODCASTS
The Black Yoga Experience Podcast recommended by Bella Prana’s management team
“This podcast, created by the founder of Black Yoga Magazine, is an honest dive into race in the wellness environment. Ashley Adams interviews other influencers and incorporates her lived experience as a studio owner and teacher.” – Roni Elissabeth, Owner
How to be an Anti-Racist Podcast recommended by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
“In this podcast Brene’ Brown interviews Ibram X. Kendi on his book ‘How to be an Anti-Racist’. They discuss the foundational difference between considering yourself to be ‘not racist’ verses actively being an Anti-Racist.” – Roni
Strong in the Broken Places – Free Cookies podcast with Kathryn Budig & Kate Fagan recommended by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
“This podcast is an interview between Quentin Vennie and famous yogi Kathryn Budig and her partner Kate Fagan. Quentin shares his lived experience in the wellness world and yoga community as a black man and yoga instructor.” – Roni
Yoga is Dead Podcast
“A revolutionary podcast that exposes the underbelly of the yoga industry. Get ready to have your eyes opened and your perceptions challenged…this ain’t your white yoga podcast.”
Uncomfortable Conversations with Emmanuel Acho recommended by Joyce McNally, former Director of Kids and Family Programing
“I highly recommend this podcast as a beginning journey into the topic of racism, as Emmanuel allow us to dive deeper into our understanding of white privilege. He connects in a relatable way with actionable steps that white people can take to change the trajectory of our culture.” – Joyce
TV & DOCUMENTARIES
13th Documentary (Netflix) recommended by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
“The film will confront you with the trackable and provable fact that our criminal system has been used to control and oppress people for centuries. Every American should see this film.” – Roni
1619 Project (Hulu) recommended by Ashley Adams, Founder of Black Prāṇa Magazine and Roni Elissabeth, Owner
This 6 part docu-series is an expansion of the the 1619 Project by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones with The New York Times. “This documentary dives into the honest history of the enslavement of African people in America and it affects our society deeply to this day. We have to look more honestly at how the atrocity of slavery still very much shapes our culture and who has access to power to this day.” – Roni Elissabeth, Owner
United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell recommended by Roni Elissabeth, Owner
“In this series Kamau Bell uses his lighthearted energy to tackle incredibly challenging topics around racism in America, as well as tough conversations on various topics ailing our country.” – Roni
ACTION
We believe deeply in education, yet it must be followed by action. Sign up to receive updates on ways you can take action in support of Black Lives Matter.
Reach out to your representatives directly to help shape anti-racist policy. Use this tool to easily enter your address and write your Senator in less than 5 minutes.
Education and action are crucial, however we must also use our resources to support the causes we believe in. See this article as a guide for ways you can donate.