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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the National Book Award–winning author of Stamped from the Beginning comes a “groundbreaking” (Time) approach to understanding and uprooting racism and inequality in our society—and in ourselves.“The most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind.”—The New York Times NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • Time • NPR • The Washington Post • Shelf Awareness • Library Journal • Publishers Weekly • Kirkus ReviewsAntiracism is a transformative concept that reorients and reenergizes the conversation about racism—and, even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. At its core, racism is a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value; its warped logic extends beyond race, from the way we regard people of different ethnicities or skin colors to the way we treat people of different sexes, gender identities, and body types. Racism intersects with class and culture and geography and even changes the way we see and value ourselves. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science with his own personal story of awakening to antiracism. This is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society.Praise for How to Be an Antiracist “Ibram X. Kendi’s new book, How to Be an Antiracist, couldn’t come at a better time. . . . Kendi has gifted us with a book that is not only an essential instruction manual but also a memoir of the author’s own path from anti-black racism to anti-white racism and, finally, to antiracism. . . .  How to Be an Antiracist gives us a clear and compelling way to approach, as Kendi puts it in his introduction, ‘the basic struggle we’re all in, the struggle to be fully human and to see that others are fully human.’ ”—NPR“Kendi dissects why in a society where so few people consider themselves to be racist the divisions and inequalities of racism remain so prevalent. How to Be an Antiracist punctures the myths of a post-racial America, examining what racism really is—and what we should do about it.”—Time

Book Title: How to Be an Antiracist

Author: Ibram X. Kendi

Genre: Non-Fiction, Social Commentary, Race and Racism

Published: 2019

Book Summary:

"How to Be an Antiracist" is a thought-provoking and challenging book that explores the concept of antiracism and the insidious nature of racism in society. Ibram X. Kendi, a renowned historian and activist, delves into the nuanced relationship between racism and antiracism, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding and dismantling racism in all its forms.

Key Themes:

1. Definition of Racism: Kendi defines racism as a system of advantage based on race that gives privileges to white people and disadvantages people of color. This definition challenges traditional notions of racism as individual prejudice and places emphasis on the structural and institutional factors that perpetuate racial inequality.

2. The Antiracist Spectrum: Kendi introduces the concept of the antiracist spectrum, which ranges from racist to antiracist. He argues that individuals can occupy different positions on this spectrum depending on their actions and beliefs. The goal is to move towards the antiracist end of the spectrum by actively challenging and dismantling racist systems and policies.

3. Racist Ideas and Policies: Kendi examines various racist ideas and policies that have shaped American history and society. He provides concrete examples of how these harmful ideologies have manifested in laws, policies, and societal norms.

4. The Path to Antiracism: Kendi outlines a path towards becoming an antiracist by encouraging readers to actively confront their own biases, educate themselves about racism, and engage in antiracist actions. He emphasizes the importance of collective action and solidarity in combating racism and creating a more just and equitable society.

5. Personal and Collective Responsibility: "How to Be an Antiracist" highlights the shared responsibility of individuals and institutions in addressing racism. Kendi urges readers to reflect on their own role in perpetuating or challenging racism, and calls for systemic changes to dismantle racist structures.

Impact and Significance:

Since its publication, "How to Be an Antiracist" has garnered widespread praise and recognition for its insightful analysis of racism and its comprehensive approach to antiracism. It has sparked conversations, inspired activism, and facilitated a deeper understanding of racial injustice in society.

Relevance and Timeliness:

The book's message is particularly relevant in today's socio-political climate, where racial tensions and incidents of racial violence continue to occur. "How to Be an Antiracist" provides a valuable resource for individuals seeking to educate themselves about racism and engage in meaningful action to create a more racially just society.