Short Reads, Big Change — The Magic Word

Mar 9

Mar 9 Short Reads, Big Change

Books Are Magic

Written by Ali Matthews

Little books? Check. Quick reads? Check. Small problems? Not at all.

This list of books is perfect for:

the organizer-on-the-go
the subway-separatist
the commuting-changemaker
the L-train-leader
the darn-I-wish-I-had-a-book-with-me doer
the please-don’t-talk-to-me-I’m-reading protester
and the anytime-is-a-good-time-to-read activist.

Here we go!

The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet, Leah Thomas

An incredible book that breaks down the often-overlooked connection between climate change, racism, the policing of Black, Indigenous, POC, science-denial, and more. It is both a call to action and a guide for doing so. A must-read for anyone interested in saving the planet.

Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next), Dean Spade

A pocket-sized guide to mutual aid, sprinkled with charts and checklists, perfect for anyone from long-time organizers and activists and newbies alike. This is the perfect guide for those struggling with inept governments (AKA all of us) to foster a collective community while caring for ourselves and others past, present and future.

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally, Emily Ladau

This is the perfect primer for learning more about being an ally to disabled people. From how to talk about disabled people (i.e. person-first or disability-first language), to identifying stereotypes in media and everyday life, to ensuring that accessibility is always a priority. Disability is a part of life and this book should be a must-read for everyone.

Are Prisons Obsolete? Angela Y. Davis

A call not just for prison reform, but for a “new terrain of justice.” Angela Davis doesn’t just stop at giving us hope, but she delivers us alternatives—a future without the current racist, sexist, and classist systems that dominate our legal, educational, and carceral systems. A quick read that feels both introductory and extensive.

Read This to Get Smarter, Blair Imani

I started following Blair Imani on Instagram a few years ago to watch her videos, which often include collaborations with people from all backgrounds, genders, disabilities, and more. They’re super informative and quick; great introductions to bigger topics. This book is a deeper dive into a lot of those issues. Highly recommend it!

From Conflict to Community, Gwendolyn Olton

With real-life examples dealing with conflicts in the workplace to larger global-level issues, this book breaks down the idea of “conflict” to more easily understand how to deal with it. Science, sociology, government, and more, all come together to help the reader ask the important questions; What is conflict? How can I help others with their conflict? How can I help myself both recognize and respond to conflict in my own life?

The Will to Change, bell hooks

For anyone who is a man or knows a man, for anyone who lives in a patriarchal society, for anyone who has felt that they must either hide or express their emotions depending on their gender identity– basically for anyone. In this book, hooks calls on the readers to acknowledge their roles in a world that is not built on equity, and how to confront our own biases in order to fix these structural issues.

How To Blow Up A Pipeline, Andreas Malm

A bit more “urgent” in tone than many of these other books, Malm discusses political violence and non-violence and the interplay between direct and indirect action. A good read for those looking to feel heard while the government is failing us, and ideas for when we just can't wait for their help any longer.

Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals, Alexis Pauline Gumbs

We can learn a lot from animals; resiliency, community, adaptation, and more. Gumbs fuses black feminism with marine conservation and how we can connect the two to fight the systemic issues of supremacy, domination, capitalism, and exploitation. Broken up into easy-to-grasp sections, this lyrical book is a powerful, unique, and meditative read.

Antiracism in Animal Advocacy, edit. Jasmin Singer

I know a lot of these authors! And while it’s pretty cool knowing a lot of the authors of this collection of essays personally– that’s not the only reason why I think you should read this book! In addition to that fun fact, the stories told in this book are timely and important, especially for those working in non-profit organizations, specifically in animal rights, although I’d encourage anyone and everyone to read these own voices stories.

White Women, Regina Jackson and Saira Rao

“A no-holds-barred guidebook aimed at white women who want to stop being nice and start dismantling white supremacy.” I can’t really put it better than that, tbh. As someone who has done a lot of work learning and unlearning what society has taught me, this book is a great reminder that there is ALWAYS more work to be done.

Patriarchy Blues, Frederick Joseph

Written for everyone! This book (like all others on this list) can and should be read by anyone of any gender, class, and race. Tying together feminism, the patriarchy, Western ego, and more, Fredrick Joseph seamlessly articulates the issues faced by Black women in particular, through essays, poems, and other reflections. Pick it up.

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference, Greta Thunberg

This book is a great read for those in climate activism already or those feeling a little bit intimidated to join the fight, no matter the reason. Thunberg’s speeches and urgency, lead the reader to understand that no matter who we are, how big or how small, the planet depends on us, and we have the power to make a difference!

This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are so many incredible people out there sharing their work. I hope you found a book to inspire you! Now go out there and make some CHANGE!