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How to Be an Antiracist

Front cover
Author	Ibram X. Kendi
Subject	Civil rights
Genre	Non-fiction
Publisher	Random House
Publication date	August 13, 2019
Pages	320 pp.
ISBN	9780525509288

How to Be an Antiracist is a 2019 non-fiction book by American author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. The book discusses concepts of racism and Kendi's proposals for anti-racist individual actions and systemic changes. It received positive critical reception.

Background

At the time of authorship, Ibram X. Kendi was an assistant professor of African-American History at the University of Florida. He previously worked at the American University, where he founded the Antiracist Research and Policy Center. He wrote a 2016 book titled Stamped from the Beginning, about the origins of racism in America.

Synopsis

Kendi describes concepts of racism such as scientific racism, colorism and their intersection with demographics including gender, class and sexuality. He summarizes historical eras such as the scientific proposals of polygenism in Europe in the 1600s and racial segregation in the United States. The book also covers contemporary history such as the O. J. Simpson robbery case and 2000 United States presidential election. He also details experiences from his own life, including his change in beliefs over time, and observations from classes he has taught. Kendi comments on internalized racism and disputes the prejudice plus power model of racism. He suggests models for anti-racist individual actions and systemic changes.

Reception

In June 2020, following protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, sales of How to Be an Antiracist surged. The book was listed eighth and fifth in Publishers Weekly's hardcover non-fiction list on May 30 and June 6, respectively. It was listed third in USA Today's Best-Selling Books List of June 10. The book topped The New York Times Bestseller List in Hardcover Nonfiction list for sales in the week ending June 6. It has spent a total of 14 weeks on the list.

Critical reception

Ayesha Pande praised the book in a starred review for Publishers Weekly, describing the prose as "thoughtful, sincere and polished" and the ideas as "boldly articulated" and "historically informed". Pande summarized, "This powerful book will spark many conversations". A starred review for Kirkus Reviews found it to be "not an easy read but an essential one". Jeffrey C. Stewart of The New York Times lauded it as the "most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind". Ericka Taylor of NPR praised the book as "clear and compelling", saying that it is "accessible" and "exemplifies a commitment to clarity".

In a mostly positive review by The Guardian's Afua Hirsch, the author received praise for "honesty in linking his personal struggles" to the book's subject, which Hirsch described as "brilliantly simple", but criticism for personal anecdotes that seem incomplete and for a style resembling a textbook too much. It was the Book of the Day in a review for The Observer in which Colin Grant found that the book "encourages self-reflection" and praised the writing style as "calm" but "insightful".

References

1. "Ibram X. Kendi". University of Florida. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
2. ^ Stewart, Jeffrey C. (August 20, 2019). "Fighting Racism Even, and Especially, Where We Don't Realize It Exists". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
3. "Ibram X. Kendi". National Book Foundation. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
4. ^ Pande, Ayesha. "How to Be an Antiracist". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
5. ^ Taylor, Ericka (August 15, 2019). "Ibram X. Kendi Says No One Is 'Not Racist.' So What Should We Do?". NPR. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
6. "This Week's Bestsellers from Publishers Weekly". The Spokesman-Review. June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
7. VanDenburgh, Barbara (June 10, 2020). "Anti-racist book dethrones 'Hunger Games' prequel on best-seller list amid mass protests". USA Today. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
8. Egan, Elisabeth (June 11, 2020). "These Authors Are Glad You're Buying Their Books. Now Do the Work". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
9. "Hardcover Nonfiction Books". The New York Times. June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
10. "How to Be an Antiracist". Kirkus Reviews. April 28, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
11. Hirsch, Afua (October 11, 2019). "How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi review – a brilliantly simple argument". The Guardian. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
12. Grant, Colin (August 27, 2019). "How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi – review". The Observer. Retrieved June 12, 2020.

External links

• Official website

• 2019 non-fiction books
• One World (imprint) books
• Racism in the United States