RUAR Opens Little Free Antiracist Library at the Rainbow Community Center
On April 20th, Rise Up Against Racism opened its thirteenth Little Free Antiracist Library. This very special Library, funded by John Muir Health, will be housed in the Audre Lorde Reading Room of the Rainbow Community Center. The Library is filled with selections that center on younger readers and includes many books that celebrate LGBTQIA+ people, their valuable contributions, and unique lived experiences.
RUAR Opens Little Free Antiracist Library at El Dorado Middle School in Concord
On November 17th, Rise Up Against Racism opened its twelfth Little Free Antiracist Library. It is our first Little Free Antiracist Library to be opened at a Mount Diablo Unified School District site, and we are thrilled to partner with the El Dorado Middle School team and John Muir Health in making this Library installation a reality.
RUAR Opens Little Free Antiracist Library at Saint Matthew in Walnut Creek
On Sunday, May 1st, Rise Up Against Racism opened its newest Little Free Antiracist Library, located at Walnut Creek’s Saint Matthew Lutheran Church. The Library is sponsored by Carole Wynstra (mother of co-founder Meg Honey) and is stewarded by Jessica and Mike Kelley, who have been tremendous supporters of RUAR since its inception.
RUAR Opens Little Free Antiracist Library in Petaluma
On Sunday, March 20th, Rise Up Against Racism opened its newest Little Free Antiracist Library. It is our first in Sonoma County, and it is located at PPSC Mentor Me at the Cavanagh Recreation Center: a beloved regional institution that serves Petaluma youth with academic, social, and recreational programming.
John Muir Health Partners with Rise Up Against Racism to Fill Communities with Diverse Books
Rise Up Against Racism awarded a community benefit grant to bring antiracist books to under-resourced communities in Contra Costa County, California.
Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors
In 1990, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop published the groundbreaking essay “Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors.” Dr. Bishop, a decorated scholar, college professor, and author, pioneered the concept that all readers must have experiences where they “see” themselves, where they consider different perspectives, and where they are able to “step into” the lived experiences of others.
Our 10th Little Free Antiracist Library is Now Open in Clayton
Our tenth Little Free Antiracist Library, located at the intersection of Pine Hollow and Mitchell Canyon Road in Clayton, was made possible by the steadfast work of steward Cheryl Willis. Over the last ten months, Cheryl engaged with the community, solicited donations, scouted out potential locations, and evangelized Rise Up Against Racism’s work. She worked tirelessly and passionately to raise the funds necessary to bring a Little Free Antiracist Library to a specific area in Clayton that will serve hundreds of school children and families as they walk and bike to the three nearby schools.
Juneteenth
The fact that Black Americans are statistically discriminated against in the criminal justice system, are represented in overwhelmingly disproportionate numbers in high poverty schools, continue to be denied full access to the voting booth, and struggle to survive in communities that lack necessary access to essential resources like healthy food and medical care, serve as critical reminders that Juneteenth is both a day of celebration and a vital call to action.
Q&A with Artist Soleé Darrell
Soleé Darrell is a lifelong multidimensional artist based in Oakland, CA. She uses layers of mixed media to symbolize the healing of wounds and maps the unknown paths we take in life. She uses her art to bring optimism and bridge the gap between the intuitive world and the physical world.
Q&A with Artist Blane Asrat
Soleé Darrell is a lifelong multidimensional artist based in Oakland, CA. She uses layers of mixed media to symbolize the healing of wounds and maps the unknown paths we take in life. She uses her art to bring optimism and bridge the gap between the intuitive world and the physical world.
New Openings in New Communities
This past Sunday, February 21, marked a new first for us here at RUAR. We opened our first Little Free Antiracist Library on the San Francisco Peninsula. As both our steward and funding partner, the Shah family has moved us with their generosity and passion for bringing this Little Free Antiracist Library to Burlingame.
IntersectionAllies: Interview with the Authors
We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sit down with the authors of one of our favorite books - IntersectionAllies. (We also happen to house this and many others in our Little Free Antiracist Libraries.) Steeped in deep academic research and inspiration from what the authors like to call their “Academic Aunties,” this book holds lessons for all ages about how to be an ally across the intersection of so many searingly human characteristics.
Bike to Books Event Saturday, Feb 20th
Join us on Saturday, February 20th for our Bikes to Books Event in Walnut Creek! Meet us at the Primrose Lane Little Free Antiracist Library at 10am to ride with RUAR or participate on your own until 2pm!
Check out our new 21 book update and find special Black History Month giveaways and other goodies along the way.
Never Too Early: How to Talk to Kids About Race
Today, talking to kids about race is something that we, as parents, can no longer avoid, no matter your background or ethnicity, no matter what color the body you live in. We’re sharing resources to help spark conversation about race with kids.
Racism: Refusing to Talk About it Won’t Make it Go Away
For many Americans, the word “racist” carries so much weight beyond its definition that we’ve condemned it to hide in the shadows beneath the dinner table, alongside the likes of politics and religion. Isn’t it time for us to come to terms with the fact that refusing to talk about something won’t make it go away?
How to Talk to Children About The Capitol Insurrection
Creating spaces for conversation, reflection, understanding, and connection is paramount in these times. Below is a roundup of resources that will help equip parents, teachers, and community members with tools for initiating conversations and supporting young people in processing the events of January 6, 2021.
New Year, New Books
2021 marks an exciting moment for Rise Up Against Racism. With the new year, we are updating our curated collection of antiracist books with 21 new titles. Spanning different genres, our newest update elevates Black voices, celebrates different identities, and helps continue critical conversations about race.
Thanksgiving Reconsidered
RUAR co-founder, Meg Honey, shares valuable resources for responsible representation of Indigenous contributions, perspectives, and experiences to help students understand the courageous journeys, bold decisions, and transformative actions of Native peoples.
Q&A with Artist Gaia WXYZ
Gaia Wxyz is a multimedia creator who specializes in visual art, specifically comics, illustration, painting and design. With their Little Free Antiracist Library, they wanted to create something that the community could enjoy while also functioning as a site for the distribution of antiracist texts.