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A review by amandasbookreview
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
“The opposite of racist isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘anti-racist.’ What’s the difference? One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an anti-racist. One either believes problems are rooted in groups of people, as a racist, or locates the roots of problems in power and policies, as an anti-racist. One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an anti-racist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.”
HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi is not just a social commentary but also a memoir. I had read Stamped from the Beginning and have been eager to read this one. I listened to the audiobook which is read by the author. The book discusses racism and the racist policy that allows for racism to still be a present force in our society. However, like the quote above, Kendi argues that claiming that one is not racist is not enough, you must be antiracist. By choosing neutrality, one allows racist policy and racist aggression to continue. One must actively strive to educate themselves, reflect on their own racist tendencies and work to eradicate those tendencies, as well as speak out when one is a witness to racist behavior.
There is a reason why this book soared when it was released and again in 2020. This book effectively critiques society but it is also informative to read about Kendi’s personal experiences. He also dives into the complexity of racism and stereotypes regarding gender and sexuality. I was really moved when he discussed racism through his own eyes as a child. It is so important to recognize that children experience racism. It is clear that I have work to do and will be working on for the rest of my life. I will be instilling antiracist values in my children. It is absolutely clear that we need to take an active approach and not sit idley by while racism still ravages communities of color
There is a reason why this book soared when it was released and again in 2020. This book effectively critiques society but it is also informative to read about Kendi’s personal experiences. He also dives into the complexity of racism and stereotypes regarding gender and sexuality. I was really moved when he discussed racism through his own eyes as a child. It is so important to recognize that children experience racism. It is clear that I have work to do and will be working on for the rest of my life. I will be instilling antiracist values in my children. It is absolutely clear that we need to take an active approach and not sit idley by while racism still ravages communities of color