14 eye-opening essays from Black writers to read to understand America's problems with race

Crystal M. Fleming, author and associate professor of sociology and Africana Studies at SUNY Stony Brook, recommended works by Ida B. Wells and James Baldwin.Crystal Fleming

• Juneteenth is an important day to educate yourself on racism in the US.
• Black literary experts shared their top nonfiction essay and article picks on race.

For many, Juneteenth, the day commemorating the effective end of slavery in the US in 1865, is a day of celebration and reflection. It's also an important time for people who support racial justice to take action, according to diversity executives and consultants.

Actions people can take include everything from business leaders making long-term investments in racial-justice projects and supporting proposed legislation like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, to smaller steps like everyday Americans donating to racial-justice nonprofits and educating themselves by reading works on race by Black authors, sources said.

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 to better understand the quest for Black liberation in America:

This article was originally published in February 2021.