Antiracism is a transformative concept that reorients and reenergizes the conversation about racism—and, even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. At its core, racism is a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value; its warped logic extends beyond race, from the way we regard people of different ethnicities or skin colors to the way we treat people of different sexes, gender identities, and body types. Racism intersects with class and culture and geography and even changes the way we see and value ourselves. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.

Exhilarating and epic.

I usually end up rolling my eyes at "everything you thought you knew was wrong" style books, because - no matter how well-intentioned - there comes a point when it's hard to believe that out of every human on earth, we've all been going the wrong way and only the Messiah-like author can save us. But this is actually not Kendi's aim. Instead he draws on a rich vein of historical sources and some impeccable research to explain the points-of-view of those who already knew what we should be doing, contrasting it with his own development as a young dark-skinned black man growing up in the USA, filled with his own biases, bigotries, and fears. We emerge from the final chapter not, perhaps, with an answer on what we need to do to solve the impacts of racism in our society, but certainly with an awareness of innovative, powerful, and practical tools at our disposal.

One caveat for international readers like myself: this book is not a "beginner's guide" in any sense - to the problems of racism, to sociology, to history. It was written by a highly-educated, intellectual, deeply progressive American who writes for The Atlantic and he assumes his audience are highly-educated, intellectual, deeply progressive Americans who probably read The Atlantic. As a result, I got a bit lost occasionally when American history and slang played major roles in some chapters, or when the discussion veered off into modern academic theories on race and discrimination. (Kendi himself acknowledges that he doesn't use some of these phrases when talking to laypeople!) That's not a complaint - after all, this is an American book for Americans; I'm the problem child for reading it in my far-flung corner of the earth.

Yet I don't say that to put you off the book. It still has a lot to say on how we process our individual biases, instilled in us over a lifetime, and I will be reflecting upon it for a long time to come. ( )

I think this is more of book for academics. Hard to read as a white person, but a very important book to read as a white person. ( )

Everyone needs to read this book! Kendi provides profound insight into racism through the lens of his lived experience. Shows us how racism is a cancer that has infected the human spirit and that if we aren't attentive we may be sick too. This book is very approachable and meets you where you are if you are willing to learn. ( )

I guarantee that if you read this book, there will be something you disagree with. But I strongly believe that if you read the whole thing, walk the intellectual path Kendi lays out, then you will find much you agree with and much to ponder. He will challenge your assumptions. But he will not attack you as a person. So do not be afraid to pick up this book and perhaps see the world in a different light.
[Audiobook note: Kendi reads this book himself. This was not wise. Far too often, his delivery is too rhythmically choppy to be a good listen. You should probably stick to the print version.] ( )