Feminist Reads: Anti-Racism and Decentring Whiteness

At EQI, we aim to centre anti-racism, decolonising, and decentring Whiteness in our work and that starts with listening, learning, and reflecting. Reading is a powerful way to challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and understand the lived experiences of communities historically marginalised in Australia and globally.

This was one of our most popular posts in 2023, so we’re excited to republish it on our new site to continue sharing these essential reads.

Whether you’re curious about systemic racism, what it’s like to grow up Aboriginal in Australia, or the concept of white fragility, these books are a great place to start.

You can loan them from your local library, pick up second-hand copies, or support your local bookstore– every choice matters.

Our Picks

• Me and White Supremacy – Layla F. Saad

• So You Want To Talk About Race – Ijeoma Oluo

• Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia – Edited by Anita Heiss

• Us Women, Our Ways, Our World – Edited by Darlene Oxenham, Jeannie Herbert, Jill Milro & Pat Dudgeon

• The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison

• Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower – Brittney Cooper

• Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America – Ibram X. Kendi

• Sister Girl – Jackie Huggins

• Talkin Up to the White Woman – Aileen Moreton Robinson

• White Tears Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Colour – Ruby Hamad

• The Hate Race – Maxine Beneba Clarke

• Against White Feminism: Notes on Disruption – Rafia Zakaria

• White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism – Robin DiAngelo

• Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates

• Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge

• Talking To My Country – Stan Grant

• Because A White Man’ll Never Do It – Kevin Gilbert

• Dark Emu – Bruce Pascoe

• Bad Feminist – Roxane Gay

• Tell Me Why: The Story of My Life and My Music – Archie Roach

• Invisible Women – Caroline Criado Perez

See the full book list on Goodreads.

Why These Books Matter

Collectively, these works offers insight into:

• The history and systems of racism

• The lived experiences of Aboriginal and First Nations people in Australia

• The ways white supremacy and privilege operate globally

• Feminist perspectives that centre intersectionality and marginalised voices

Reading these books is more than a learning exercise — it’s an invitation to listen, reflect, and take action in your work and everyday life.

Start your journey

Pick one, or pick five. Borrow them from your library, support a local bookstore, or swap with a friend. Every page turned is a step towards understanding, empathy, and building a more just world.