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Books That Matter: Introduction

An anti-racist social justice bookshelf that highlights specific books as a way to increase visibility and include everyone!

Books that Matter Bookshelf | Main Library, 2nd Floor

Student Testimonials

"I think it’s important to diversify our learning and be aware of social injustices all around the world."

"It shows that inclusivity can be done in a non-verbal way and including a bookshelf in a place that is seen by students daily, it may interest a lot more to read or look into the topics on display which overall increases awareness of those topics."

"If more students are exposed to multicultural education, cultural differences, and anti-racist literature, more people will be informed about the experiences of non-white people. This increased understanding of BIPOC communities can lead to a decrease in racist behaviors and beliefs and overall better treatment for people in historically oppressed communities."

Implicit Bias

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines implicit bias as a way in which "people can act on the basis of prejudice and stereotypes without intending to do so" (2015). 

Harvard hosts Project Implicit, which is a resource for testing your implicit biases. Try this test of your implicit biases. 

 

In Spring 2022, the University of Arizona Libraries launched Books That Matter, an anti-racist, social justice–focused bookshelf, along with a companion bookshelf dedicated to the University of Arizona Press. You can find it on the second floor of the Main Library, in the northwest corner near the Bear Down Building.

This is a working, browsable collection, and all titles are available for checkout. The bookshelf features a wide range of identities, histories, and genres - from autobiographies to comic books - and includes both print and digital titles. You can explore the full list in our Recommended Collection.

This collection is designed to highlight many types of stories, histories, and identities. It serves as a positive reinforcement of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion across the University of Arizona campus.

Have a title you’d like to recommend? Please share your ideas on our suggestion form.  

Recommended from the Collection

Recommender: Belen Urreiztieta (Graduate Student Worker, Reference, Instruction, and Student Engagement)

Our History is the future: Standing Rock versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the long tradition of Indigenous Resistance is a book that everyone should read, especially those interested in climate justice, environmental racism, and the rich history of Indigenous resistance in the US. With a BA and MA in History, Estes lays the groundwork to contextualize not only the #NoDAPL movement, but greater themes such as decolonialism, imperialism, and the threat of extractive industries to Indigenous land and peoples globally. Through the lens of Mni Wiconi, or Water is Life, a rallying cry for water protection born from the #NoDAPL movement, Estes emphasizes the importance of solidarity and the Indigenous philosophy of being a good family member, taking care of the land and each other. Looking to the future, Estes ties the Indigenous tradition of resistance to our shared responsibility to amplify Indigenous voices and collectively stand against the threat of resource extraction and its contribution to a warming planet.

As water and energy hungry AI data centers continue to pop up across the country, on Indigenous land, there isn't a better time to crack open Our History is the future: Standing Rock versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the long tradition of Indigenous Resistance at the library today!