How To Be An Antiracist

How To Be An Antiracist

Adult nonfiction
"Denial is the heartbeat of racism, beating across ideologies,
races, and nations. It is beating within us. Many of us who strongly
call out Trump's racist ideas will strongly deny our own. How often
do we become reflexively defensive when someone calls something we've
done or said racist?..."
As Ibram X. Kendi points out in How To Be An Antiracist, quoted
above, the word "racist" has gone from descriptor to insult so
profound recipients can't see beyond deep hurt and indignation. Your
more liberal/progressive friends might ask how, with their good deeds
and woke attitude, they can be racist. President Trump has assured
reporters that he's one of the least racist people they'll ever get to
interview.
So in the 21st century we're all not racists?
Kendi reminds readers that's not possible. Neutrality is not an
option--only racist and antiracist.
"...One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy, as a racist,
or racial equality, as an antiracist. 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 antiracist. One either allows
racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial
inequities, as an antiracist..."
That is only the first concept Kendi introduces readers to.
Each chapter intersectionally covers a facet of racism/antiracism
ranging from power and ethnicity through culture and behavior to class
and sexuality. Within each topic Kendi dilineates some of the
important terms many of us are working to wrap our minds around.
There is, however, nothing dry in Kendi's lexicon. Each
revelation is structured around a candidly shared phase of his life.
This novel format really brings concepts to life and inculcates a
sense of shared humanity. This is one of the reasons I believe that
How To Be An Antiracist is a must read for anyone attempting to do
just that.
The other reason is that Kendi doesn't see racist or antiracist
as set in stone. We can do our best, err, learn from the mistake and
move onward. At the end of his introduction he offers us all this
invitation.
"We know how to be racist. We know how to pretend to be not
racist. Now let's know how to be antiracist."
On a purrrsonal note, well Amber's early Halloween party is postponed
since the meteorologists are confident that Maine will catch the end
of Tropical Storm Laura. Postponed is better than cancelled. Still I
was feeling a little sad this morning. With rain due and the truck at
the shop and my being on my last library book the upcoming weekend
looked a bit dreary. Then Jodi brought over a box of pens, pencils,
and notebooks to add to my supply for the kids. And then Emily
delivered me a nice big stack of fresh library books I'm really
excited about reading. Thanks to these two chums I am OVER THE MOON
and psyched for weekend. (Jules)
That is a big stack of books. Rain will be okay. But please none of
the flashy, boomy stuff. (Tobago).
A great big shout out goes out to those two awesome friends, Jodi and
Emily.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway



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