Race in America: Resources to help keep the conversation going

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Having an open and honest conversation about race is difficult, and if you are feeling uncomfortable that is okay. We want to help with that conversation, and maybe help you start one on your own. We have compiled a list of resources to help guide you. There are book suggestions, interviews, videos, and episodes of our ongoing series Race in America: The Conversation to help you join, engage, and share what you learn with your loved ones.

Race in America: The Conversation (Episode 22)

In the 22nd episode of our on-going series, we’ll explore an array of topics associated with California’s prison system. From take a look at race segregation inside prison, recidivism and whether education is the key to reform. Hear from men who served decades in prison – and how San Quentin became a place of redemption for them. Plus, we’ll take a look at Governor Newsom’s plan to transform San Quentin from a prison to a rehabilitation center.

One of the ‘Little Rock Nine,' living in the Bay Area talks about her fight 66 years later

Monday, Sept. 25 is the 66th anniversary of the “Little Rock Nine.” A group of nine African American teenagers who were the first to enter a segregated school in Arkansas in 1957. And it happened after a historic supreme court ruling. NBC Bay Area’s Gia Vang talked to Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the “Little Rock Nine,” who now lives in Marin County about her fight.

NBC Bay Area’s Gia Vang talked to Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the “Little Rock Nine,” who now lives in Marin County about her fight, more than six decades later.

California Assembly approves US's first anti-discrimination bill

On Monday, the state assembly overwhelmingly passed legislation that would add “caste” as a protected category under the state’s anti-discrimination laws. We’ve been following this story in our on-going series Race in America: The Conversation. This has been a long fight for many, including one woman who left her high-profile job at Google because of concerns over caste discrimination. Jessica Aguirre reports.

On Monday, the state assembly overwhelmingly passed legislation that would add “caste” as a protected category under the state's anti-discrimination laws. We’ve been following this story in our on-going series Race in America: The Conversation. This has been a long fight for many, including one woman who left her high-profile job at Google because of concerns over caste discrimination. Jessica Aguirre reports.

New state bill aims to ban caste discrimination

A historic fight got underway in Sacramento Wednesday. A new legislation was introduced that could make a landmark change to California’s current anti-discrimination laws. State Senator Aisha Wahab, along with Bay Area activists, want to add “caste” as a protected category to state law.

A historic fight got underway in Sacramento Wednesday. A new legislation was introduced that could make a landmark change to California's current anti-discrimination laws. State Senator Aisha Wahab, along with Bay Area activists, want to add “caste” as a protected category to state law.

Unity trip helps African-American, Asian-American teenagers bridge their communities

Sometimes, the best education comes outside of the classroom. NBC Bay Area takes you on a road trip with a group of Bay Area teenagers who found unity in their differences.

Sometimes, the best education comes outside of the classroom. NBC Bay Area takes you on a road trip with a group of Bay Area teenagers who found unity in their differences.

Watch the entire 20th episode of Race in America: The Conversation (June 16, 2023)

We continue our commitment to having uncomfortable and honest conversations about race and the complexities of systemic oppression. Tonight, the stories of activists and advocates fighting for equality in their communities and beyond -- whether it is educating other about diverse histories, changing a life or changing laws.

Man commits to changing narrative in San Francisco neighborhood

Our latest conversation takes you to San Francisco’s Sunnydale neighborhood, a neighborhood plagued by violence. Residents who live there are trying to change the narrative and the stereotypes. Here's a look at how sometimes one person can really make a difference.  

Marcus Washington visited the J&J Community Resource Center in Sunnydale, a special place, that many say has changed and sometimes saved their lives.

We continue our commitment to having honest and open conversations in “Race in America: the Conversation." We take you to San Francisco’s Sunnydale neighborhood, a neighborhood plagued by violence. But, residents who live there are trying to change the narrative and the stereotypes. And, how sometimes one person can really make a difference.  

Movement to ban caste discrimination in state

Bay Area civil rights activists are hoping to make landmark change to California’s current anti-discrimination laws, which bans bias on categories such as race, color, religion, gender and sexual orientation. They want to add caste to that list, a centuries-old system of social hierarchy in the south Asian community.

Organizers on the front lines are bracing for a fierce fight from a community they say is invested in keeping them in “their so-called place.”

Jessica Aguirre sat down with them in a conversation you’ll see only on NBC Bay Area.

On Wednesday, Bay Area civil rights activists will introduce what they hope will be a landmark change to California’s current anti-discrimination laws, which bar bias based race, color, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Jessica Aguirre reports.

Watch the entire 20th episode of Race in America: The Conversation (Dec. 31, 2022)

In this episode of our ongoing series, we continue to highlight the work being done in communities to address racial tensions. The conversations include people in the street, on the front lines, working to mentor youth and to prevent crime. Also, a group of chefs in the East Bay use food to break down stereotypes and create solidarity between the Black and Asian communities.

On the latest episode of "Race in America": We continue to highlight the work being done in communities to address racial tensions. The conversations include people in the street, on the front lines, working to mentor youth and to prevent crime. Also, a group of chefs in the East Bay use food to break down stereotypes and create solidarity between the Black and Asian communities.

More than 50 years ago, a group of indigenous Americans took control of Alcatraz -- an island that belongs to the Ohlone people. That event, known as the Occupation of Alcatraz, was an inflection point for tribes in California and nationwide. In this clip, we explore that history from someone who was part of the occupation and what it meant for native peoples still fighting for freedom today.
We visit the ancestral land of the Pit River Tribe in Shasta County. The tribe’s land once extended 3.5 million acres. Today, it has less than 10,000 acres. Tribal members are now fighting to reclaim the land that was taken from them centuries ago in the landback movement. Assistant Professor Kerri Malloy, “No one alive today is responsible for what happened in the past. We are responsible for knowing what happened.”
Honoring the tradition, culture and resistance of the Indigenous peoples. Each year, on Indigenous Peoples Day and Thanksgiving morning, a couple thousand people take ferries across the Bay to attend the sunrise gathering on Alcatraz. The event honors the lives, sacrifices and courage of their ancestors.

Watch segments on street violence and gun culture

As part of our series Race in America: the Conversation, we continue to showcase the important work being done in communities. A group of people working on the ground are finding ways to prevent crime in Bay Area communities. Marcus Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole have more.
Part 2 of our conversation with people on the front lines to prevent crime discuss street culture, gun violence and building relationships.

See how local chefs use food to bring communities together

As part of our series Race in America: the Conversation, we continue to showcase the important work being done in communities, in their own way and in the workplace. Top Chef alummi and Oakland residents Tu David Phu and Nelson German and Chef Alex Travis talk to our Chery Hurd about how food can break down walls, as well as create solidarity between Black and Asian communities – despite increased tensions.

PAST EPISODES: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12, Episode 13 , Episode 14 , Episode 15, Episode 16, Episode 17, Episode 18, Episode 19, Episode 20, Episode 21, and Episode 22 are available now!

Digital Extras:

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NBC Lx Videos:

Tiffiny Dixon looks at her 4-year-old son and knows that someday he will "stop being cute" and start being stereotyped as a threat. That's why she takes him to Black Lives Matter protests - to teach him how to fight back by using his constitutional rights of assembly and free speech.
Pediatric psychologist Ann-Louise T. Lockhart talks about explaining the Black Lives Matter movement to children and breaking down difficult terms like racism, prejudice and stereotypes to young minds.
Kel Smith, 37, is a mental health counselor who lives in Norfolk, Virginia. As a Black man, he’s known since he was a teenager that he was more likely to get pulled over by the police while driving – and that every stop had the potential to be fatal. He recalls one night as a college student in California when he was pulled over three separate times during a 5 mile drive to his girlfriend’s house. This is his story in his own words.
In the days of slavery, Black people were commonly referred to as subhuman or inherently different than white people. Professor, attorney and former NJ Assistant Attorney General Shavar Jeffries says that racism was built into American law enforcement and manifests today as an attitude that Black people are "presumptively criminal."
Angel Hogan of Pennsylvania shares a story from when she was a teenager about a job offer that was suddenly taken away after the employer saw that she was Black.
SURJ, Showing Up for Racial Justice, has an essential message for the white community.
Ephraim Salaam lived his his dream playing in the NFL from 1998 to 2010. Over the course of those 12 years, playing for five NFL franchises like Atlanta, Denver, Jacksonville, Houston and Detroit, you couldn't blame Salaam if one game tended to merge into the next. But there is one particular Sunday that's seared into his memory.

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Book Suggestions

Podcasts

New York Times 1619 Project

National Public Radio (NPR): In Black America

13 Podcasts To Listen To This Black History Month (And Every Month)

Articles

Medium: How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change

NBC News: Latinos must confront 'ingrained' anti-black racism amid George Floyd protests, some urge

The New York Times: ‘Corporate America Has Failed Black America’

Fast Company: This Haunting 8:46 Spot Is The Most Powerful Corporate Response To The George Floyd Murder

Refinery29: Black People Need Stronger White Allies — Here’s How You Can Be One

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