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hannahbisbis's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
While this book is a challenging read requiring intense attention and reflection, this was spectacular. I could actually feel the chains in my mind being broken and piecing together all kinds of constructs I’ve known existed and talked about and railed against but never fully, truly connected and questioned. I grew so much from this book, and I know it’s shifted my entire way of examining and discussing power, bigotries, violence, and inequities.
book_busy's review against another edition
5.0
A most necessary and comprehensive exploration of the modern day construct of racism and how best to fight it. Kendi does an excellent job of exploring both his ideological flaws and the mass societal ideological flaws that enabled racism to persist and to continue to persist all whilst maintaining a calm and collected tone to his arguement which only acts to strengthen its truth.
bjhenning's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Lots to take in and presented some new ideas I hadn’t really pondered before. I appreciate the comparison of Kendi’s personal struggles with the overall theme of the book as well. Good read!
jessielinden1's review against another edition
5.0
This part memoir part textbook book is a landmark read for me, a well intentioned white American coming to terms with her deep ignorance of what it means to be antiracist, how it is different from “not racist,” and tons of related facets he covers.
Assuming his intended audience is largely white people, for me Kendi succeeds in communicating facts, humility through his own experiences, and his opinions, while also giving us something a bit more tangible to act on now, in this national movement. He succinctly explains the difference between demonstrating and protesting, critique/self education and activism to people who really really really need to understand the difference between talking the talk and walking the walk.
What a gift he’s given to anyone willing to accept that they’ve had moments of being racist and, hopefully, antiracist. That they can be redefined in the next moment, and that to be racist in one moment is not to strip every redeeming quality from oneself that they are a bad person. This concept has the potential to increase the emotional maturity of anyone with enough humility to embrace it, and I hope clear the path for meaningful, honest changes moving forward. I will personally be reading other people’s ideas about antiracism as well, and surely continuing to reflect on Kendi’s book.
Assuming his intended audience is largely white people, for me Kendi succeeds in communicating facts, humility through his own experiences, and his opinions, while also giving us something a bit more tangible to act on now, in this national movement. He succinctly explains the difference between demonstrating and protesting, critique/self education and activism to people who really really really need to understand the difference between talking the talk and walking the walk.
What a gift he’s given to anyone willing to accept that they’ve had moments of being racist and, hopefully, antiracist. That they can be redefined in the next moment, and that to be racist in one moment is not to strip every redeeming quality from oneself that they are a bad person. This concept has the potential to increase the emotional maturity of anyone with enough humility to embrace it, and I hope clear the path for meaningful, honest changes moving forward. I will personally be reading other people’s ideas about antiracism as well, and surely continuing to reflect on Kendi’s book.
readerbot_lu's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Did I like it? Yes
Do I recommend it? Yes
Do I recommend it? Yes
Favorite Quote
“Aren’t you supposed to be warm-blooded?” Wang Ran cries, eyes suddenly widening. “Shit, was I supposed to sun this body?” (40%)
Positives
As someone who did not read this book when it first came out, I will say I think a lot of Kendi’s thoughts have entered into public discourse. I feel like I have become familiar with some of them that way. But I still find great value in reading his words because he is very eloquent (and public discourse doesn’t catch everything). Plus, there are memoir aspects to this book.
Negatives
None.