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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
I'm long overdue in reading this. Very much appreciate Kendi's 2023 updates and notes to the hardcopy version of this book. I appreciated his own vulnerability which helped me recognize my own biases and internalized racism. I'll be digesting and rereading this book for a long time.
Part memoir, part history book, and part self help. All educational.
Part memoir, part history book, and part self help. All educational.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
I love Kendi as a historian. I think his analysis of the history of ideas is incredibly insightful, and his focus on material outcomes rather than jargon is extremely important in a world where it seems like Twitter rules the discourse. Additionally, amidst of sea of books for white allies that seem to focus solely on how to monitor and change personal conduct to prevent/address instances of individual, personal racism, Kendi put the focus on racist policies and systems, which brings to light the bigger picture of how society creates and empowers individuals to enact racism, and what exactly needs to be done to enact change.
I had trouble understanding some ideas in this book, and I think perhaps he went a bit overboard on trying to create his own terms to explain different aspects of the same concept. Gender anti-racism, queer anti-racism, class anti-racism; yes, all of these things interact with racism, but there's already a term for that: intersectionality, and there wasn't much discussion of that concept in this book. Moreover, while I agree that racism empowers individuals of oppressed groups to enact racist policies, and individuals of those oppressed groups may actively institute racism in order to get more power, I don't think I agree about his stance on anti-white racism. It seems like he was trying to get at something about class in that section, and also something about how classifying all white people as the same essentially relieves them of their individual responsibility in committing racism and upholding racist systems, but I don't think he connected the points there. I additionally don't think that anyone who abides by the popular critical race theory tenet that white supremacy leaves Black folks with no power in a racist system is seriously suggesting that Barack Obama held zero power during his presidency. The idea is that when it came to issues about race, he was not viewed as objective simply because he was Black, and so he could not carry the political credibility of a white leader on those issues, even if he as a Black man had more firsthand experience with racism than his white counterparts. Yes, I do think that these issues are nuanced and not as cut and dry as any academic theory would suggest--that's the case with most things in life. But what he calls anti-white racism has zero material impact on white people, and so for someone so concerned with outcomes, you'd think he would dismiss the idea out of hand.
The format additionally left me a little wanting. Initially I really enjoyed the blend of memoir, family history, and national history. However, by the two-thirds mark, I felt like something was missing, and that perhaps he had become a little too caged by the structure. It was interesting to read about his personal history as an academic, and how he had to teach himself out of his own internalized anti-Black racism, but at the same time, I felt like some of the anecdotes were strange segues into the concepts he was trying to explain. Also, he has a weird straight-man way of explaining queerness that doesn't fully encompass how queerness threatens the nuclear family structure, and how queerness has been alienated from feminist and anti-racist movements because queer folks are aliens in whatever community they originate in.
I listened to this on audiobook, which was narrated by the author. Unfortunately, while he is a spectacular author, he is not a great performer, and that probably affected my enjoyment of the book.
I had trouble understanding some ideas in this book, and I think perhaps he went a bit overboard on trying to create his own terms to explain different aspects of the same concept. Gender anti-racism, queer anti-racism, class anti-racism; yes, all of these things interact with racism, but there's already a term for that: intersectionality, and there wasn't much discussion of that concept in this book. Moreover, while I agree that racism empowers individuals of oppressed groups to enact racist policies, and individuals of those oppressed groups may actively institute racism in order to get more power, I don't think I agree about his stance on anti-white racism. It seems like he was trying to get at something about class in that section, and also something about how classifying all white people as the same essentially relieves them of their individual responsibility in committing racism and upholding racist systems, but I don't think he connected the points there. I additionally don't think that anyone who abides by the popular critical race theory tenet that white supremacy leaves Black folks with no power in a racist system is seriously suggesting that Barack Obama held zero power during his presidency. The idea is that when it came to issues about race, he was not viewed as objective simply because he was Black, and so he could not carry the political credibility of a white leader on those issues, even if he as a Black man had more firsthand experience with racism than his white counterparts. Yes, I do think that these issues are nuanced and not as cut and dry as any academic theory would suggest--that's the case with most things in life. But what he calls anti-white racism has zero material impact on white people, and so for someone so concerned with outcomes, you'd think he would dismiss the idea out of hand.
The format additionally left me a little wanting. Initially I really enjoyed the blend of memoir, family history, and national history. However, by the two-thirds mark, I felt like something was missing, and that perhaps he had become a little too caged by the structure. It was interesting to read about his personal history as an academic, and how he had to teach himself out of his own internalized anti-Black racism, but at the same time, I felt like some of the anecdotes were strange segues into the concepts he was trying to explain. Also, he has a weird straight-man way of explaining queerness that doesn't fully encompass how queerness threatens the nuclear family structure, and how queerness has been alienated from feminist and anti-racist movements because queer folks are aliens in whatever community they originate in.
I listened to this on audiobook, which was narrated by the author. Unfortunately, while he is a spectacular author, he is not a great performer, and that probably affected my enjoyment of the book.
So well written but it was just so factual, it was hard for me to stay interested. Definitely not the writers fault as I’m more of a fiction girl, but regardless I did learn a lot.
A great, definition based book on antiracism. Kendi has a way of weaving facts with his own personal stories that make it less dense. I understand why many take issue with the white and black chapters, but he stuck to his definitions, it would be hypocritical not to IMO. I really loved the last few chapters, action based, and more hopeful.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Cancer, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia
Minor: Transphobia, Pandemic/Epidemic
'The heartbeat of racism is denial, the heartbeat of antiracism is confession'
This book spells it out. And diffuses some of the high emotions around this word 'racist' which been used primarily as an ugly slur against people. Kendi argues that rather than a slur, racist is a descriptor of policies, actions, and ideas (and people) and those things can be changed. They can be 'antiracist'.
If you're confused over what people are 'shouting about' right now or want definitions - this is a good place to start
This book spells it out. And diffuses some of the high emotions around this word 'racist' which been used primarily as an ugly slur against people. Kendi argues that rather than a slur, racist is a descriptor of policies, actions, and ideas (and people) and those things can be changed. They can be 'antiracist'.
If you're confused over what people are 'shouting about' right now or want definitions - this is a good place to start
Ibram X. Kendi's How To Be An Antiracist is a groundbreaking and essential read for anyone who wants to understand and dismantle racism in their own life and the world around them.
Why This Book Matters:
Challenges the "Not Racist" Mindset: Kendi argues that the true dichotomy is not racist vs. not racist, but racist vs. antiracist. This shift in thinking is crucial for moving beyond complacency and actively working towards racial justice.
Personal and Profound: Kendi weaves together his own experiences with historical context and insightful analysis, making the book both relatable and intellectually stimulating.
Actionable Steps: How To Be An Antiracist doesn't just diagnose the problem, it offers a roadmap for becoming an antiracist. Kendi provides concrete steps we can all take to challenge racist ideas and policies.
What I Loved:
Kendi's Writing: Kendi's writing is clear, engaging, and passionate. He has a knack for making complex ideas accessible to a wide audience.
The Focus on Antiracism: By shifting the focus from simply "not being racist" to actively "being antiracist," Kendi encourages a more proactive approach to racial justice.
The Personal Stories: Kendi's willingness to share his own experiences adds a layer of authenticity and emotional depth to the book.
A Must-Read for Everyone:
How To Be An Antiracist is a powerful and necessary book for anyone who wants to be part of the solution. It's a call to action that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quotes:
"The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it-and then dismantle it."
"THE GOOD NEWS is that racist and antiracist are not fixed identities. We can be racist one minute and antiracist the next. What we say about race, what we do about race, in each moment, determines what-not who-we are."
Why This Book Matters:
Challenges the "Not Racist" Mindset: Kendi argues that the true dichotomy is not racist vs. not racist, but racist vs. antiracist. This shift in thinking is crucial for moving beyond complacency and actively working towards racial justice.
Personal and Profound: Kendi weaves together his own experiences with historical context and insightful analysis, making the book both relatable and intellectually stimulating.
Actionable Steps: How To Be An Antiracist doesn't just diagnose the problem, it offers a roadmap for becoming an antiracist. Kendi provides concrete steps we can all take to challenge racist ideas and policies.
What I Loved:
Kendi's Writing: Kendi's writing is clear, engaging, and passionate. He has a knack for making complex ideas accessible to a wide audience.
The Focus on Antiracism: By shifting the focus from simply "not being racist" to actively "being antiracist," Kendi encourages a more proactive approach to racial justice.
The Personal Stories: Kendi's willingness to share his own experiences adds a layer of authenticity and emotional depth to the book.
A Must-Read for Everyone:
How To Be An Antiracist is a powerful and necessary book for anyone who wants to be part of the solution. It's a call to action that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quotes:
"The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it-and then dismantle it."
"THE GOOD NEWS is that racist and antiracist are not fixed identities. We can be racist one minute and antiracist the next. What we say about race, what we do about race, in each moment, determines what-not who-we are."
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
One of my favorite reads of the year. While not my favorite book on race, it is one of the best on how depth racism impacts our society and depth around how being racist and Antiracist as fluid states.
I’m getting the journal he just released.
Also, this book was a family book club for my family. We had about twenty members discussing and working through it together. Worked out pretty well.
I’m getting the journal he just released.
Also, this book was a family book club for my family. We had about twenty members discussing and working through it together. Worked out pretty well.