Review: How to be an Anti-Racist
How to be an Anti- Racist
Ibram X. Kendi
Synopsis: Ibram X. Kendi walks us through different perspectives for those who want to be truly anti- racist, and an ally.
Rating: PG-13
Right off the bat this book poses a very serious question. Are you racist, or are you ANTI-Racist? There’s no space for a middle ground. At first this may seem like an extreme statement, but Kendi is fully capable of backing his statement up. He doesn’t just stop at race discrimination, either.
Kendi looks closely at the concept of intersectionality; the idea that you can’t fully support one aspect, without supporting another. E.g.- You can’t be an anti-racist and not be a feminist. You can’t be a feminist and not support women of color. You can’t support people of color without supporting the LGBTQ+ community. They are all linked. (Reminder: This is a brief overview. For an in depth explanation of this concept, I urge you to read Kendi’s book.)
One thing I really appreciate about How to be an Anti-Racist, is while there is a strong emphasis on the Black community, Kendi doesn’t limit his book to only one race. It is all encompassing guide for all races.
How to be an Anti-Racist is well written and incredibly enlightening. It’s a wonderful book for anyone who wants to be an ally to people of color, whether you are just beginning your journey, or you’ve been on this path for years. We can all learn from it. There is a LOT of information here, so if you’re listening on audiobook be sure to pay close attention!