8 Books to Develop Anti-Racism Work in for Biking in Pittsburgh

We’re seeing how our work in transportation justice fits into the larger picture of social justice through reading and research.  Come join us!

In August, we published our first post in this learning series which outlines our thoughts and preliminary plans of what this series is, who it is for, and what we hope it can grow into. Through this series, we aim to educate and inform ourselves and supporters, listen to the experiences of marginalized communities locally and nationally, and work collaboratively with experts and advocates to address transportation inequities in Pittsburgh.

Building an Organizational Anti-Racism Understanding

Our staff and board members are majority white and we know that it isn’t the responsibility of the Black and Brown people on our staff and board to educate or inform the rest of us.

We’ve started holding discussion groups based on books we want to read related to equity, inclusion, and representation. The goal of these groups is to not only expand our personal knowledge but to create a space, internally, to have difficult conversations, examine ourselves as an organization, and start on an intentional path of becoming an anti-racist organization. 

Between the World and Me

by Ta-Nehisi Coates

“In an open letter to his teenage son, Ta-Nehisi Coates writes about what it means to be a black man in America. The vivid descriptions of his childhood, college education, and experiences as a writer are both powerful and heartbreaking, illustrating the many racial injustices in our society. Between his personal retellings and thought-provoking questions, Coates’ creates a comprehensive framework for understanding structural racism in our country.”
– BikePGH Staff Member

How to be Anti-racist

by Ibram X. Kendi

“How to be Anti-racist is both a memoir of Kendi’s encounters with the many different facets of racism in America, and a guide to what it would mean to be anti-racist rather than simply being “not racist.”  Between stories from his life, we follow Kendi through the origins and impact of racist ideas in this country, and what it would mean to work towards repairing harm done in a meaningful, anti-racist way.” 
– BikePGH Staff Member

Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America

by Ibram X. Kendi

“Where do our ideas about race come from? Following the lives of five historical figures in the United States from the 1600’s to today, Stamped from the Beginning introduces us to the origins of segregationist, assimilationist, and anti-racist ideas. This book uncovers the white-washed myths we tell ourselves about the history of the United States, and will forever change how you see this country.”
– BikePGH staff member

Bicycle Race

by Dr Adonia Lugo

Set in Los Angeles in the 2000s, Bicycle Race talks about justice, equity, and the problems that bicycle advocates face when trying to work towards a system that upholds mobility justice. Dr. Lugo’s personal story is woven throughout this narrative to demonstrate how the systems of injustice continue to uphold policies and practices that do not favor values like equity and put marginalized people and transportation options like biking and walking in the margins or leave it out altogether. Dr. Lugo’s story is one that sheds light on the ways that policymakers, planners, and advocates can work towards a more just transportation system while keeping the heritage and cultural roots of a society intact.”
– BikePGH Staff Member

So You Want To Talk About Race

by Ijeoma Oluo

“So You Want to Talk About Race is an engaging mix of history, first person experiences, and practical advice for people who not only want to learn more about systemic racism but want to develop comfort in talking about it. I found Oluo’s writing style approachable and easy to digest. She prompts the reader to reflect through open ended questions, discussion prompts and a section of shared resources.”
– BikePGH Staff member

Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America

by Richard Rothstein

“In every major city in America, there’s a history of how our government blocked Black people from accessing housing. While our government has tried to argue that housing segregation and racial disparages are a naturally occurring phenomenon, this book outlines how there was explicit intent to discriminate and thus, it’s our government’s responsibility to address this harm. I put this book down wanting to revisit how housing inequities play out here in Pittsburgh, not just in history, but here today.”
– BikePGH Staff Member

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes Your Blacker

by Damon Young

“Author Damon Young is the Editor-in-Chief of Very Smart Brothas and a Pittsburgh native. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker is a collection of essays documenting his experiences growing up as a black child, a black young adult, and then a black man in Pittsburgh; a place which regularly prides itself on being “the most liveable city” and yet whose own Gender Equity Commission has found that simply by moving to any other city black residents could dramatically improve their quality of life. Young writes with awkward (sometimes self-flagellating) humor that establishes his credibility as a narrator. He tackles some very uniquely Pittsburgh problems with both sobering cynicism and a warmth that challenges the city to rise to the potential it needs to reach to be liveable for EVERY resident — especially our black neighbors.”
– BikePGH Staff Member

Showing Up for  Racial Justice’s White Femininity Curriculum

This isn’t a book but a free resource for white women and femme people to work through as a study group. A number of the white, female identified BikePGH staff members are currently going through this curriculum. 

There’s More Where that Came From

There are many critically acclaimed books, articles, podcasts, newsletters, and YouTube channels available to help you start or continue your own anti-racist work. This short list is not intended to be all encompassing, these are the current books we are reading. There are many more on our list to read, openly discuss, learn from, and apply those teachings to our work. 

We encourage our white members and supporters to start and expand the work of examining existing internal biases and behavior and thought patterns by reading, watching, or listening to content created by Black, Brown, and Indengious people (of all gender expressions and representations from all socioeconomic backgrounds). 

If you want to buy a book for yourself or a loved one, consider supporting a Pittsburgh based  Black-owned independent book store The Tiny BookStore. This store is a wonderful community resource and they will ship right to your home! 

We know, a book club isn’t enough. 

It’s true, a book club isn’t enough, we know and completely agree. While we are all different places in our understanding of systemic racism and how racists policies, laws and behaviors have harmfully affected our community and the nation, we are having difficult internal conversations as a staff and board. Instead of putting out a one time static statement about our values, our past mistakes, and wins, we wanted to create something more holistic and engaging for Pittsburghers. We want you to come on this journey with us and continue to engage with our Transportation Justice Learning Series. 

---