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howlyranch's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great read for someone who needs an introduction to race issues and a great resource for someone who already feels well-informed. Eloquent, not overly complicated, and provides relevant data for any claims made while still offering the author’s personal perspective from his own experiences.
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
5.0
“What’s the problem with being ‘not racist?’ It is a claim that signifies neutrality: ‘I am not racist, but neither am I aggressively against racism.’ But there is not neutrality in the racism struggle. The opposite of racist isn’t not racist. It is antiracist.”
This book was not like anything I expected. This is not a prescriptive outline for achieving self-improvement. Rather it’s a personal story of Kendi’s evolution to understanding racism in all of it forms and how he grew to adjust his own way of thinking. Most of us think about white racist attitudes toward people of color, but Kendi doesn’t shy away from Black racism toward other Blacks, racism toward immigrants from non-western European countries, and more. He compares events and experiences from his own youth through college and graduate school and how he grew exponentially each time his thinking was challenged by new ideas. It was a refreshing perspective that grew out of Kendi’s original and very popular book a few years earlier titled Stamped from the Beginning.
I read this on audiobook and enjoyed it, but I rather wish I had a physical copy so I could go back and reread certain stories or pieces of information. I highly recommend this read for anyone interested in such a personal perspective.
This book was not like anything I expected. This is not a prescriptive outline for achieving self-improvement. Rather it’s a personal story of Kendi’s evolution to understanding racism in all of it forms and how he grew to adjust his own way of thinking. Most of us think about white racist attitudes toward people of color, but Kendi doesn’t shy away from Black racism toward other Blacks, racism toward immigrants from non-western European countries, and more. He compares events and experiences from his own youth through college and graduate school and how he grew exponentially each time his thinking was challenged by new ideas. It was a refreshing perspective that grew out of Kendi’s original and very popular book a few years earlier titled Stamped from the Beginning.
I read this on audiobook and enjoyed it, but I rather wish I had a physical copy so I could go back and reread certain stories or pieces of information. I highly recommend this read for anyone interested in such a personal perspective.
pieceofschmitt's review against another edition
5.0
Learned many things I had never had my eyes open to before
haylsbookshelf's review against another edition
I am so glad I got to read this book. A mix of non fiction and memoir told by the authors own experience made this book that much more powerful.
Each chapter focused on a type of racism, gender, space, class, to name a few, and dove into history and personal experiences. This book was powerful, insightful, emotional, important, and necessary. This book should be on everyones reading list.
I listened to the audiobook by the author and followed along as he read. I definitely recommend that because hearing him speak his own words made it all the more powerful.
I understand that I will never truly understand. But I can educate, speak out, and show through my actions what I stand for. It is not enough to be not racist. We need to tear down racism and rebuilt with antiracism.
Each chapter focused on a type of racism, gender, space, class, to name a few, and dove into history and personal experiences. This book was powerful, insightful, emotional, important, and necessary. This book should be on everyones reading list.
I listened to the audiobook by the author and followed along as he read. I definitely recommend that because hearing him speak his own words made it all the more powerful.
I understand that I will never truly understand. But I can educate, speak out, and show through my actions what I stand for. It is not enough to be not racist. We need to tear down racism and rebuilt with antiracism.
siobhanward's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
NYT Notable Books 2019: 14/100
This was a solid read and intro to the concept of antiracism. I appreciated the range of topics Kendi covered, and the amount of intersectionality he acknowledged. I thought he approached topics in a way that makes them accessible to someone who may be coming in with little or no knowledge. It's interesting to see though how much has already changed since this book was written (not in a good way unfortunately). Five years is a long time in the history of the world I guess.
This was a solid read and intro to the concept of antiracism. I appreciated the range of topics Kendi covered, and the amount of intersectionality he acknowledged. I thought he approached topics in a way that makes them accessible to someone who may be coming in with little or no knowledge. It's interesting to see though how much has already changed since this book was written (not in a good way unfortunately). Five years is a long time in the history of the world I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Racism
allison_sirovy's review against another edition
5.0
This book took me 10 days to read even though I tear through books. Kendi’s book is thoughtful and brutally honest, which forced me to slow down and examine my own racist beliefs. I was particularly intrigued by Kendi’s idea of changing racist policies before racist beliefs and how racist policies insure the people with power continue to hold their power. I will work toward becoming a true antiracist and work toward effecting change.
dillpickleblackberry's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective