How to Be an Antiracist
“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 Reviews
Antiracism 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
In "How to Be an Antiracist", Ibram X. Kendi argues that racism is not simply a matter of individual prejudice, but a deeply rooted system of power that pervades every aspect of society. He challenges the notion that we can become "colorblind" and urges us to actively work to dismantle racist structures. Kendi provides a roadmap for understanding and combating racism, offering practical steps that individuals and communities can take to create a more just and equitable world. He draws on his own experiences as a Black man in America, as well as extensive research, to provide a comprehensive analysis of racism in all its forms. Kendi's book is a powerful call to action, urging us to confront our own biases and to work together to create a more just and equitable world. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand and combat racism.
Kendi begins by defining racism as a "system of advantage based on race." He argues that racism is not simply a matter of individual prejudice, but a deeply rooted system of power that pervades every aspect of society. Racism is embedded in our laws, our institutions, and our culture. It shapes our experiences from birth to death, and it affects every aspect of our lives. Kendi challenges the notion that we can become "colorblind" and urges us to actively work to dismantle racist structures.
Kendi provides a roadmap for understanding and combating racism, offering practical steps that individuals and communities can take to create a more just and equitable world. He begins by urging us to educate ourselves about racism. He provides a comprehensive overview of the history of racism in America, and he explains how racism operates today. He also challenges us to examine our own biases and to confront our own racism. Kendi argues that we must all be antiracist, and he provides a framework for how we can do this. He calls on us to actively work to dismantle racist structures, to create more just and equitable policies, and to build a more inclusive society.
"How to Be an Antiracist" is a powerful call to action, urging us to confront our own biases and to work together to create a more just and equitable world. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand and combat racism.
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