Essays and Works of Journalism by Black Authors on Racism to Read

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an important time to keep educating yourself on racism in the US.
• Black literature experts shared their top nonfiction essay and article picks on race.
• The list includes “A Report from Occupied Territory” by James Baldwin.

In the weeks after the killings of Ahmaud Aubrey, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, many Americans rushed to purchase books on race and executives scrambled to hold town halls on racism. The spiked interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion was promising, but it needs to continue if long-term change is to happen, consultants told Insider. 

Part of that process includes educating yourself. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday dedicated to remembering the Civil Rights leader, is an important time to do that. Insider asked Black literary and historical experts to share their favorite works of journalism on race by Black authors. Here are the top pieces they recommended everyone read, including a piece by King himself.

This article was originally published in February 2021.