We, as a Jewish community, pledge to work with civic, faith, and political leaders to continue addressing racism and injustice in all forms.
Our historic communal experiences with forms of systemic oppression, leveled against us as antisemitism, require us to stand up against racism and bigotry in all its forms.
Every step can move us in the right direction. You can support local Black-owned restaurants by joining us for Saturday Night Supper Take-Out from restaurants on this list: https://www.sanjose.org/blog/black-owned-restaurants.
We hope you will save this resource and set a path for your own education and engagement. Look for programming opportunities that will help us learn and act together.
Organizations:
The following local organizations work in support of the Black community in Silicon Valley, in various capacities. Check their websites for ways you can get involved.
African American Service Agency sjaacsa.org
Works to preserve the dignity and culture of a diverse African American Community and to provide services that promote full participation of all of Santa Clara County and the general society.
Akoma Arts akomaarts.com
A collective of musicians, singers, dancers and spoken word artists, promoting community unification through performance of African drum, dance, songs, and storytelling.
Ethiopian Community Services ecssanjose.org
Committed to enhancing the quality of life of Ethiopian Americans in Santa Clara County.
NAACP San Jose/Silicon Valley sanjosenaacp.org
The mission of the NAACP is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
Office of Racial Equity, City of San Jose
This is a new office funded at the June 16 City Council meeting. $1 million will be allocated to hire five full-time employees who will establish new implicit-bias awareness training for all city employees and improve service delivery for more marginalized residents.
San Jose Multicultural Artists Guild/Tabia African American Theatre Ensemble sjmag.org
Over 35 years, Tabia has produced stage productions and performed as a traveling troupe. Its mission is to unite and serve communities by conduction cross-cultural arts programming reflective of the experiences of African-Americans, women, Chicanos and Latinos.
Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce blackchamber.com
Works to increase the number of small businesses, especially minority and African American businesses, in Silicon Valley, while developing a pipeline of future entrepreneurs through better education and training.
Unity Care Unitycare.org
Unity Care works for equality and justice for youth and families in the foster care and juvenile justice systems throughout Northern California. They stand for ending racism and the overrepresentation of children of color in our formal systems and institutions.
Year Up Bay Area Yearup.org
Year Up’s mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by ensuring that young adults gain the skills, experiences, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through careers and higher education.
Jewish Organizations
The following organizations address Jewish racial and cultural diversity and Jewish social and racial justice actions.
Be’Chol Lashon—Advocating for the Growth and Diversity of the Jewish People
Be’Chol Lashon was begun to build a support system and community for Jewish families of color. Today, it also works to build and strengthen diverse Jewish communities around the world and educate Jews and the general public about Jewish diversity.
Jews in All Hues
JIAH is an education and advocacy organization supporting Jews of multiple heritages.
Jews of Color Field Building Initiative
A national effort focused on building and advancing the professional, organizational and communal field for Jews of Color.
Books
- America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America by Jim Wallis
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Beyond Respectability: The Intellectual Thought of Race Women by Brittney C. Cooper
- Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment by Patricia Hill Collins
- Colorblind Racism by Meghan Burke
- Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney C. Cooper
- Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
- How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
- My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander (and Study Guide and Call to Action)
- This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color by Cherríe Moraga (Editor), Gloria Anzaldúa (Editor)
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo,
- White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
- Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It by Shelly Tochluk
Films and TV
- 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
- Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
- If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
- Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent
- Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent
- The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax
- When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
