Politics: anti-racism reading and resources

The Basics

Who gets to vote, how district lines are drawn and which laws get passed decide how much power communities of color actually hold. Politics is more than Election Day. It is the everyday decisions made in city halls, statehouses and Congress, and the organizing that pushes them.

We’ve covered politics for years. Every issue is in our archive. Read past issues >

Three words that come up again and again on this topic. See all of our key terminology >

Voter Suppression — Intentionally making it harder for certain groups of people to vote.
Gerrymandering — Drawing electoral district lines to give one party or group an unfair advantage.
Felony Disenfranchisement — Laws that take away the right to vote from people convicted of felonies.

How the Supreme Court Prevents Police Accountability
Examining the role of qualified immunity and the U.S. judicial system in keeping law enforcement from facing accountability.
Nicole Cardoza Oct 25, 2023
What is Genocide?
Our understanding of genocide is so narrow that when one meets the criteria, it is rarely seen or accepted.
Andrew Lee Oct 23, 2023
How Plessy v. Ferguson Relates to Today’s Struggles
De facto residential segregation is increasing today, creating segregated hospitals, schools, and transportation systems—the very things permitted by Plessy v. Ferguson.
Andrew Lee May 18, 2023
Who is “White”? How the Supreme Court Helped Constructed Our Definition of Race
The U.S. legal system played a vital role in constructing the country's understanding of race and whiteness, as was the case of Bhagat Singh Thind.
Dominique Stewart Feb 17, 2023
The History of Loving Day and the Fight for Interracial Marriage
More than 60 years later, the Loving v. Virginia case continues to be “one of the most significant legal decisions of the civil rights era.”
Nicole Cardoza Jun 13, 2022
What "Defunding the Police" Actually Means
Defunding the police allows communities to reinvest in other forms of community support while dismantling a system rooted in racism and white supremacy.
Nicole Cardoza Mar 4, 2022

These groups are led by people of color and work on politics every day. Follow them for updates and ways to help.

Black Voters Matter Builds Black voter power through grassroots groups, mostly in the South. Visit their website, and follow @blackvotersmtr on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
Voto Latino Registers and mobilizes young Latino voters. Visit their website, and follow @votolatino on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
APIAVote Helps Asian American and Pacific Islander communities vote and get civically involved. Visit their website, and follow @apiavote on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.

Independent newsrooms that cover politics often. Read and donate if you can!

Bolts. Local elections and the offices that run policing, courts and voting. Follow @boltsmag on Instagram.
Capital B. Nonprofit Black news outlet covering politics, power and policy. Follow @capitalbnews on Instagram.
Mother Jones. Nonprofit investigative news on politics, voting rights and democracy. Follow @motherjonesmag on Instagram.

ps – this is a community-created guide that is updated often. Want to make changes/corrections? Complete this form.