1. Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire 

I have always wanted to read this book. This book focuses on how to help the oppressed fight back and achieve full humanity, as they have been dehumanized. Freire gives steps to how this can happen, starting with gaining knowledge about the concept of humanization.

2. The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx

I have also always wanted to read this as well, not because I align with communist ideology but because it is a staple in political commentary. I have heard and learned a lot about Karl Marx but always from other people- not from himself. This book aims to explain goals of communism and the underlying theory of the movement. It starts with class struggles and exploitation of class as the motivating force behind historical developments.

3. Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis

This book is a collection of essays, interviews, and speeches. Davis illuminates the connections between state violence and oppression throughout history and the world. She touches on the legacies of previous liberation struggles and then connects and analyzes today’s struggles against state terror.

4. How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi

Kendi argues that to undo racism, we have to consistently identify and describe it in order to dismantle it. She discusses how antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America and what direction we can take to liberate ourselves and each other. She brings in ethics, history, law, and science all together.

5. Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay

I absolutely love Roxanne Gay, and this book is high on my list. Gay advocates for imperfect feminism honestly and humorously. She recognizes no one can meet high/perfect standards. She goes over many topics relating to feminism and breaks them down.

6. Intellectual Empathy: Critical Thinking for Social Justice by Maureen Linker

Linker discusses intellectual empathy and critical thinking in the conversation for social justice. She brings on the difficult issues of race, class, and culture in our society.

7. The Will to Change by bell hooks

bell hooks is a classic voice. In this book she shows men how to express their emotions, no matter what. She discusses toxic masculinity and how that punishes men with emotions. She discusses concerns, like fear of intimacy and loss of patriarchal place in society. 

8. Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice Education by Paul Gorski & Seema G. Pothini

This book is for educators and analyzes and reflects on case studies related to equity and social justice. The case studies are for educators to practice the process of thinking about contextual factors, analyzing their own biases, and making decisions about how to establish and contribute to equity for students.

9. Finding Joy in Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds: Culturally Responsive and Socially Just Practice in U.S. Classrooms by Sonia Nieto

A fourth of American households speak a language other than English in the home. Nieto interviewed over twenty teachers of various backgrounds and settings to discuss what makes effective and culturally responsive teaching in real life. There are stories of both success and failure and aims to help teachers meet diverse students in our sociopolitical context.

10. "Asian Americans" by PBS

This is not a book, but it is a documentary series that seems very interesting to watch. It is five hours and provides a new perspective on history that is still relevant today. America seems to still be incredibly divided, and this film addresses through intimate stories how we can frame the U.S., our history, how to move forward, and the role that Asian Americans do and always have played.