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This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work
Who are you?
What is your identity?
What is racism?
How do you choose your own path?
How do you stand in solidarity?
How can you hold yourself accountable?
Learn about identities, true histories, and anti-racism work in 20 carefully laid out chapters. Written by anti-bias, anti-racist, educator and activist, Tiffany Jewell, and illustrated by French illustrator Aurélia Durand in kaleidoscopic vibrancy.
This book is written for the young person who doesn't know how to speak up to the racist adults in their life. For the 14 year old who sees injustice at school and isn't able to understand the role racism plays in separating them from their friends. For the kid who spends years trying to fit into the dominant culture and loses themselves for a little while. It's for all of the Black and Brown children who have been harmed (physically and emotionally) because no one stood up for them or they couldn't stand up for themselves; because the colour of their skin, the texture of their hair, their names made white folx feel scared and threatened.
It is written so children and young adults will feel empowered to stand up to the adults who continue to close doors in their faces. This book will give them the language and ability to understand racism and a drive to undo it. In short, it is for everyone.
What is your identity?
What is racism?
How do you choose your own path?
How do you stand in solidarity?
How can you hold yourself accountable?
Learn about identities, true histories, and anti-racism work in 20 carefully laid out chapters. Written by anti-bias, anti-racist, educator and activist, Tiffany Jewell, and illustrated by French illustrator Aurélia Durand in kaleidoscopic vibrancy.
This book is written for the young person who doesn't know how to speak up to the racist adults in their life. For the 14 year old who sees injustice at school and isn't able to understand the role racism plays in separating them from their friends. For the kid who spends years trying to fit into the dominant culture and loses themselves for a little while. It's for all of the Black and Brown children who have been harmed (physically and emotionally) because no one stood up for them or they couldn't stand up for themselves; because the colour of their skin, the texture of their hair, their names made white folx feel scared and threatened.
It is written so children and young adults will feel empowered to stand up to the adults who continue to close doors in their faces. This book will give them the language and ability to understand racism and a drive to undo it. In short, it is for everyone.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2020
1292 people are currently reading
13712 people want to read
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July 1, 20201/7/20
What an excellent read! This is targeted at children/young adults, but it definitely is for everyone. It's a great place to start your journey of being anti-racist -- it's also just a good book if you want to make sure that you have all of the basics down. Strong points here are definitely its accessibility and dare I say its aesthetic :)
30/6/20
I got this book because I thought it looked both very accessible and helpful :)
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What an excellent read! This is targeted at children/young adults, but it definitely is for everyone. It's a great place to start your journey of being anti-racist -- it's also just a good book if you want to make sure that you have all of the basics down. Strong points here are definitely its accessibility and dare I say its aesthetic :)
30/6/20
I got this book because I thought it looked both very accessible and helpful :)
You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website | The Storygraph
September 21, 2020
@Educators, GET THIS BOOK. Pass it around your classroom, the teacher's lounge, and your community. Read it, share it and share it again!
October 10, 2020
5★
“Someone described racism to me as the smog we breathe. It is all around us; racism is everywhere.”
This is a smart, eye-catching book for anyone, really. It’s aimed at teens and young people, but it’s just as useful and informative for adults who want to know how to make a difference, whether it’s in their own lives as the targets of racism or as the unwitting perpetrators of it.
I was recently helping someone with a psychology paper that included a discussion of the damage caused by “subtle racism”, known as “microagressions”. (Incidentally, the word “folx” is used instead of the customary “folks” in order to be all-inclusive for marginalised people, much as other words now have an X on the end, like Latinx, to make them gender-neutral and inclusive.)
“A microaggression is an intentional or unintentional insult, slight, or hostile, negative message to folx who do not fit into the imaginary box of dominant culture. They can occur anytime and anywhere. Sometimes microaggressions are spoken, like someone saying, ‘WHERE WERE YOU BORN?’ to an Asian British person in London.
When you experience microaggressions repeatedly, the effects accumulate and can lead to low self-esteem, depression, poor health, and thinking the stereotypes are true. Believing that you are inferior, acting on the negative messages about folx of the same race as you, and even denying your ethnic and cultural heritage are examples of internalized racism.”
It’s an easy trap to fall into, to ask someone what their ethnic background is because they ‘look’ exotic or interesting or different. And that’s the point. Different from what? The so-called ‘norm’? The more this happens to you, the more out-of-place you may feel, part of some ‘subordinate culture’ and a lesser person.
Well, hello. Wake up and speak up.
“You have the right to be seen.”
“I do not use the term “minority” to describe Black, Brown, and Indigenous folx because we are the majority in the world. Using the language of racism can minimize our full selves. It can allow us to forget our deepest roots and ancestors; it allows us to create a history that, while in our own voices, has been shaped by the oppressor.”
“My history begins with me.”
There are countless illustrations and activities, references, suggested reading, quotations, and inspiring examples to whet anyone’s appetite for action. There are lists to make, and the author begins with one of her own.
“Activity: I am. . .”
So get yourself a notebook and get one you like, because you’re going to keep it handy to keep writing things down and doing the activities. It’s about inclusion considering all of the other categories we put people in: transgender, poor, neuro-diverse, religious, and so on.
“Create your identity map.”
It’s a terrific resource that I reckon could be useful in almost any school or community group, and I can see it being an interesting learning tool for kids of all backgrounds to ask themselves these questions.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Quarto Publishing’s Frances Lincoln’s Children for the preview copy from which I've copied a few illustrations.
“Someone described racism to me as the smog we breathe. It is all around us; racism is everywhere.”
This is a smart, eye-catching book for anyone, really. It’s aimed at teens and young people, but it’s just as useful and informative for adults who want to know how to make a difference, whether it’s in their own lives as the targets of racism or as the unwitting perpetrators of it.
I was recently helping someone with a psychology paper that included a discussion of the damage caused by “subtle racism”, known as “microagressions”. (Incidentally, the word “folx” is used instead of the customary “folks” in order to be all-inclusive for marginalised people, much as other words now have an X on the end, like Latinx, to make them gender-neutral and inclusive.)
“A microaggression is an intentional or unintentional insult, slight, or hostile, negative message to folx who do not fit into the imaginary box of dominant culture. They can occur anytime and anywhere. Sometimes microaggressions are spoken, like someone saying, ‘WHERE WERE YOU BORN?’ to an Asian British person in London.
When you experience microaggressions repeatedly, the effects accumulate and can lead to low self-esteem, depression, poor health, and thinking the stereotypes are true. Believing that you are inferior, acting on the negative messages about folx of the same race as you, and even denying your ethnic and cultural heritage are examples of internalized racism.”
It’s an easy trap to fall into, to ask someone what their ethnic background is because they ‘look’ exotic or interesting or different. And that’s the point. Different from what? The so-called ‘norm’? The more this happens to you, the more out-of-place you may feel, part of some ‘subordinate culture’ and a lesser person.
Well, hello. Wake up and speak up.
“You have the right to be seen.”
“I do not use the term “minority” to describe Black, Brown, and Indigenous folx because we are the majority in the world. Using the language of racism can minimize our full selves. It can allow us to forget our deepest roots and ancestors; it allows us to create a history that, while in our own voices, has been shaped by the oppressor.”
“My history begins with me.”
There are countless illustrations and activities, references, suggested reading, quotations, and inspiring examples to whet anyone’s appetite for action. There are lists to make, and the author begins with one of her own.
“Activity: I am. . .”
So get yourself a notebook and get one you like, because you’re going to keep it handy to keep writing things down and doing the activities. It’s about inclusion considering all of the other categories we put people in: transgender, poor, neuro-diverse, religious, and so on.
“Create your identity map.”
It’s a terrific resource that I reckon could be useful in almost any school or community group, and I can see it being an interesting learning tool for kids of all backgrounds to ask themselves these questions.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Quarto Publishing’s Frances Lincoln’s Children for the preview copy from which I've copied a few illustrations.
February 25, 2021
I imagine I might be attacked for my low rating. If so, I won’t engage with you, so please don’t waste your time and mine. The author is young, sincere, and arrogant. She even admitted she does not listen to others particularly well. She thinks she knows it all and she doesn’t. Now, let me emphasize something: her basic point is 100% correct. BIPOC and the various other marginalized groups definitely have a more difficult time in many ways. But painting white straight males as the entire problem and the reason why institutional racism is still around isn’t fair. If you want allies, don’t antagonize them. She even admitted she did that with one white male friend and still hasn’t learnt the lesson.
Next, she isn’t much of a historian. On page 63 she writes “These schools (American residential schools for Indians) were the model for the residential schools in Australia and New Zealand. On the prior page she notes that Indian boarding schools started in 1860. Yet right after the quote on p. 63, she states “In 1814 they (residential schools) were set up by Christian churches and funded by the British government.” Let’s not automatically blame everything on American system of racism. American residential schools might have been influenced by British examples, but it certainly wasn’t the other way around, not unless the Brits had time travel and used it to see what the Americans would be doing in the future!
My problem with this book, is that she is young and has the arrogance of youth who KNOW they know it all. Her suggestions might have merit for other young adults who need to start examining the shocking news that they were brought up with many racist assumptions. It likely isn’t news to adults who have lived a while and read newspaper headlines as they matured, that the world they grew up in has changed drastically and their parents were wrong in certain things. Those adults who haven’t realized this are not likely to read this preachy book and if they do, are likely to be antagonized by the righteous attitude of the author. I was antagonized, and I agree with the basic premise that there is a lot of institutional racism that needs to be yanked out and redone.
Not recommended except for other young adults who are anxious to try to change their world. Good luck, but if you are young and reading my review, please remember that the world is not easily spilt up into right and wrong. It is various shades of both and it can be hard to distinguish what is indeed wrong and need to be redone from the ground up and what simply needs change of some degree, hopefully from within an organization, with input from outside pressure. Older adults might have suggestions that are valid.
Next, she isn’t much of a historian. On page 63 she writes “These schools (American residential schools for Indians) were the model for the residential schools in Australia and New Zealand. On the prior page she notes that Indian boarding schools started in 1860. Yet right after the quote on p. 63, she states “In 1814 they (residential schools) were set up by Christian churches and funded by the British government.” Let’s not automatically blame everything on American system of racism. American residential schools might have been influenced by British examples, but it certainly wasn’t the other way around, not unless the Brits had time travel and used it to see what the Americans would be doing in the future!
My problem with this book, is that she is young and has the arrogance of youth who KNOW they know it all. Her suggestions might have merit for other young adults who need to start examining the shocking news that they were brought up with many racist assumptions. It likely isn’t news to adults who have lived a while and read newspaper headlines as they matured, that the world they grew up in has changed drastically and their parents were wrong in certain things. Those adults who haven’t realized this are not likely to read this preachy book and if they do, are likely to be antagonized by the righteous attitude of the author. I was antagonized, and I agree with the basic premise that there is a lot of institutional racism that needs to be yanked out and redone.
Not recommended except for other young adults who are anxious to try to change their world. Good luck, but if you are young and reading my review, please remember that the world is not easily spilt up into right and wrong. It is various shades of both and it can be hard to distinguish what is indeed wrong and need to be redone from the ground up and what simply needs change of some degree, hopefully from within an organization, with input from outside pressure. Older adults might have suggestions that are valid.
December 12, 2019
Quick and to the point. A very informative read.
August 14, 2020
This didn’t quite meet expectations for me. Although there are some absolutely fantastic moments throughout (and it’s beautifully designed), this book seemed somewhat disorganized and incomplete—especially if it’s supposed to serve as an introduction to antiracism for young readers. I found myself feeling confused sometimes about the depth (or lack thereof) of information shared. Who was the target audience here? What are we assuming they know? The answers to these questions feel different depending on where you’re at in the book.
I was also expecting to find a variety of unique and engaging activities inside as per the book’s subtitle, but this didn’t end up being the case. The activities included are all simple journal prompts—some were excellent discussion starters, but others felt lackluster.
I definitely wouldn’t discourage anyone from picking this up, but I didn’t quite find what I was looking for (as a teacher) with this one.
I was also expecting to find a variety of unique and engaging activities inside as per the book’s subtitle, but this didn’t end up being the case. The activities included are all simple journal prompts—some were excellent discussion starters, but others felt lackluster.
I definitely wouldn’t discourage anyone from picking this up, but I didn’t quite find what I was looking for (as a teacher) with this one.
July 3, 2023
This book is a hot mess of poisonous sophistry. There are so many errors, fallacies, and misleading statements in this book that it's hard to know which ones to choose in a review. Jewell, a very light-skinned "Black biracial" Montessori educator, believes that race and racism form the fulcrum of society. To end racism provides life's meaning; "our survival depends on it," so it justifies any action: interrupting (her "superpower"), disrupting, shaming (she is really into "calling people out" and public shaming, which is strange for a teacher who should know that shaming is damaging and counter-productive), silencing, and any other means available.
There is an introductory author's note about using "'folx' instead of 'folks' because it is a gender neutral term...Replacing the "ks" with an "x" allows for every reader who has never been seen before to see themselves here." What inane absurdity! Replacing "ks" with "x" is just a laughable attempt to "queer" the language, make that which is normal appear to be oppressive or prejudicial.
Another attempt to queer the language is in her use of the term Latinx, a term that should be immediately rejected:
1.- La RAE ( Real Academia Española ) states that the usage of the letter X as a supposedly designation for gender inclusiveness is totally unnecessary due to the fact that the grammatical masculine already serves for that function: letter O. To confuse grammar with machismo is to proclaim Woke superiority over Spanish and Latin American culture.
2.- The premise of Latinx has some white supremacist undertones: It implies that the Spanish language is machista/sexist and unevolved and needs to be updated to a more fluid or neutral language with less gender specific words. It implies that languages such as English, are superior or more appropriate due to more neutral words, but they are ignoring the fact that English has gender specific words as well (actress/actor, sculptress/sculptor, etc.) that now commonly take the male gender and assume that male=neutral.
3.-The term reveals white supremacist ignorance by agglutinating groups that are entirely disparate: An Afro-Cuban revolutionary culturally shares nothing but human dignity with a German-Chilean oligarch, an indigenous Andean or Mayan, a Chicano, or a nuyorican. Ethnic specificity matters. Do not erase it. Her note on p. 154 is insufficient. Latinx is an abomination. See here on the topic of Hispanic oppression (and privilege).
Who is the audience for this book? It is extremely pedantic in tone with vocabulary from the accepted Critical Race lexicon ["My adjacency to the dominant culture is my power in undoing it" (121)], for which there is a glossary, also messily assembled. There are exercises like creating an identity map every few pages. This was an expensive book to produce with bright colors and illustrations on glossy pages.
"Many others will try to get you to fit into an imaginary box." Identifying those imaginary boxes for the reader's identity are, in fact, the very point of the book. The box the authors refer to on this page, however, is the "dominant culture," meaning anyone of European ancestry unmixed with others, "white, middle class, Christian and cisgender. They are in charge of the institutions and have established behaviors, values, and traditions that are considered acceptable and the 'norm' in our countries" [UK and USA] (17). They are the enemy and oppressor. They are also the minority, since "Black, Brown, and Indigenous folx...are the majority in the world." I remind you that Blacks are 12.6% of the US population. Many people believe Blacks are 30% or more, but no, 12.6%. That matters.
This begs the question, if BIPOC people are the majority in the world, how is it that the minority gained the upper hand? Guns, Germs, and Steel author Jared Diamond responded with a theory about technological advancement, the transmission of disease, and geography.
"The identities that fit neatly into the imaginary box are typically the ones with the most power and agency," (20) agency defined as "your power to make effective change. It's your ability to make choices and decisions" (156). In reality, we all have the same agency. When someone chooses to pick up a gun, study for a test, take or sell illicit drugs, complete homework on time, have unprotected sex, all of those actions represent agency.
No, race is not merely "a social construct" "not based in science" (24) It's not merely illogical to make such an assertion in the age of 23andMe, it can cost lives to pretend genetic predispositions don't exist when they are common to specific ethnic groups. From Penn Medicine:"Two variants of the gene APOL1 — G1 and G2 — are found almost exclusively in people of West African descent. Carrying one risk allele imparts resistance against African sleeping sickness, while having two risk alleles significantly increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, as well as HIV and COVID- induced glomerular disease, among them sickle cell anemia."From UCL regarding HIV: "a genetic variation which evolved to protect people of African descent against malaria has now been shown to increase their susceptibility to HIV infection by up to 40 percent, according to new research. Conversely, the same variation also appears to prolong survival of those infected with HIV by approximately two years.” Clearly, there is genetic basis for ethnicity, and denying those, as the AAMC is intent on doing, will not end well. The empirical truth must always prevail over ideology.
Jewell defines racism as "personal prejudice and bias AND the systemic misuse and abuse of power by institutions" (30) and presents examples of supposed institutionalized racism on pages 39ff. that are so subjective and biased, they are not worth rebutting in detail, but I must make a few statements. First, disparate outcomes are not necessarily the result of racism. Look at FBI Table 43. Black men are just 6% of the U.S. population, yet that demographic commits over 50% of the homicides, mostly of other Black men. 8,488 Black men were murdered in 2021, almost all by other Black men, yet the author chooses to focus on the very few cases of Black men killed by white men. Ideology gives one blinders; it's more convenient that way.
Second, regarding Blacks' disparate health outcomes and life expectancy, studies of Black Seventh Day Adventists, who advocate no alcohol, vegetarianism, and setting aside Saturday for worship and family time have fewer cases of emphysema, myocardial infarction, heart attacks, fibromyalgia, and high cholesterol than White and other Adventists. And cases of hypertension and diabetes were lower for Black Adventists than comparable national rates for both Blacks and non-Blacks, a noteworthy finding.* This may be explained by the fact that Black Adventists reported better health habits than Black non-Adventists. Black females had significantly less cancer than non-Black females. Overall, Black Adventist study participants reported better physical and mental quality of life than the U.S. norm. Personal choices about foods and behavior, as well as aforementioned genetics, are responsible for disparate outcomes.
Third, redlining (which ended in 1968!), which deemed certain neighborhoods “hazardous” and allowing lenders to deny mortgages, preventing Blacks from accumulating wealth,
Jewell's Critical Race Theory ideology ignores the facts and sows seeds of resentment and hatred that will only yield a toxic harvest.
Minor sloppy detail: In the USA, "Indian boarding schools started in 1860," but "These schools were the model for the residential schools in Australia and New Zealand" established "In 1814" (64). Obviously, the model must precede the copy, not follow it.
Do I believe her account of her teacher's verbal abuse when she was nine years old? "I think about that day so often..." (89). I believe she remembers it that way, and that memory is emotional, often inaccurate, and highly susceptible to influence. There are bad teachers, bad police officers, bad doctors. And we all have bad days and say things we wish we hadn't, but I've had the experience of students deliberately misinterpreting my actual words. They're kids; they misunderstand. As a teacher, she expresses serious concerns about teachers, particularly the lack of teachers of color. There is mixed evidence about the impact of same-race teachers on student achievement for both black and white students. "By working to actively not see the race/skin color of your students...you are actively denying them....You are basically saying you don't care about who they are" (101). Has Martin Luther King, Jr. become persona non grata? What happened to his Dream?
Should we conclude that the increased support in a homogeneous environment outweighs the benefits of diversity? Why that question? Among many others, Tiffany Jewell and Black educators Bettina Love, Jamila Pitts, and Gholdy Muhammad assert the systemic racism of White educators, who "spirit murder" and Black students, since Black students learn differently, they aver. Black students need to be taught about their identity in culturally responsive classrooms, which a White teacher will not be able to do. Behavior is another issue Jewell raises. In the film PushOut:The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, psychologist Venus Evans-Winters states that she would just slough off a Black girl's behavior a White middle class teacher might interpret as rageful and insubordinate. In Ibram Kendi's How To Be An Anti-Racist, he insists that "Through lynching Black cultures, integrationists are, in the end, more harmful to Black bodies than segregationists are." Research from Black academics gave rise to many universities' creating living learning communities [dorms] just for Blacks, like UCONN's for Black male STEM majors to excel. The graduates of U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities are wildly successful (40% of the Black members of US Congress, 12% Black CEOs, 40% Black engineers, 50% Black lawyers, 80% Black judges). Does this indicate that segregation is better for Blacks? But Jewell is biracial, so once again, this bifurcation can't work for her unless she denounces her whiteness, which she seems eager to do.
"REVERSE RACISM IS NOT REAL"(102). It most certainly is real. Again, in Ibram Kendi's How To Be An Anti-Racist he states, “The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination. The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.” Nope. That will lead to nothing good: hatred, resentment and violence. Even with the definition of racism as prejudice+power, Blacks are considered to be so systematically disenfranchised and lacking in agency that they can never have sufficient power as to be racist. It's indefensible to claim that the Black POTUS, SCOTUS Justices, C-Suite, police chiefs, etc. lack power because "racism is the air we breathe."
In closing, sociologists have observed that people who are half White/half something else identify with the non-White side or exaggeratedly perform the expected non-White ethnic behaviors. That goes for Barack Obama (white mother, absent father, raised by white grandparents); Nikole Hannah-Jones (white mother, black father), the author of The 1619 Project; and the very light-skinned author Tiffany Jewell, whose mother is white, and father was absent, was black. This dynamic requires further study. These people use their media platforms to denounce whiteness, a characteristic of their primary caregiver.
We know that biracial children have a higher frequency of negative emotions (Galasso) and racial ambivalence (Jacobs), with more difficulty in identity formation when the child resembles the Black father more than the white mother (Teicher). "For the mixed child, there is likely to be resentment of both parents, inability to identify with either, and resentment of siblings whose physical racial characteristics are different. Resentment can occur toward both parents when the child feels like the parents are at fault for their identification conflict" (Teicher).
Jacobs (1992) "proposed three developmental stages for biracial identity. Each stage is linked to the concepts of color constancy (the understanding that skin color is invariant and the basis for formulating groups in society)" and the ultimate realization "that although skin color is associated with group membership, it is not a decisive factor. This stage is critical because it challenges society’s assumptions of race and recognizes that feelings of group membership stem from more than phenotype" (Ramirez).
Kich proposed a developmental model of biracial identity with three stages (and cyclic reenactment): "1) An initial awareness of differentness and dissonance between self-perceptions and others' perceptions of them (initially, 3 through 10 years of age) 2) A struggle for acceptance from others (initially, age 8 through late adolescence and young adulthood) 3) Acceptance of themselves as people with a biracial and bicultural identity" [late adolescence throughout adulthood]. These find some echo in the stages identified by Collins' (2000) research: "Phase I, Questioning and Confusion; Phase II, Refusal and Suppression; Phase III, Infusion and Exploration; and Phase IV, Resolution and Acceptance." The rancor, resentment, and even rage expressed by some of our current biracial media figures would seem to indicate a failure of resolution, an un-integrated self-concept, and difficulties during the cyclic reenactment of the other stages as well.
Instead of providing such wounded souls and race hucksters with a bully pulpit from which to divide and destroy the very warp and weft of our society, we should connect them with a talented therapist. I am sad for this author. I am sad for those who center race in all their interactions and considerations. I am sad that our society is at this divided point.
I am also hopeful that this, too, shall pass. Venomous books like this only intensify the hatred and division.
There is an introductory author's note about using "'folx' instead of 'folks' because it is a gender neutral term...Replacing the "ks" with an "x" allows for every reader who has never been seen before to see themselves here." What inane absurdity! Replacing "ks" with "x" is just a laughable attempt to "queer" the language, make that which is normal appear to be oppressive or prejudicial.
Another attempt to queer the language is in her use of the term Latinx, a term that should be immediately rejected:
1.- La RAE ( Real Academia Española ) states that the usage of the letter X as a supposedly designation for gender inclusiveness is totally unnecessary due to the fact that the grammatical masculine already serves for that function: letter O. To confuse grammar with machismo is to proclaim Woke superiority over Spanish and Latin American culture.
2.- The premise of Latinx has some white supremacist undertones: It implies that the Spanish language is machista/sexist and unevolved and needs to be updated to a more fluid or neutral language with less gender specific words. It implies that languages such as English, are superior or more appropriate due to more neutral words, but they are ignoring the fact that English has gender specific words as well (actress/actor, sculptress/sculptor, etc.) that now commonly take the male gender and assume that male=neutral.
3.-The term reveals white supremacist ignorance by agglutinating groups that are entirely disparate: An Afro-Cuban revolutionary culturally shares nothing but human dignity with a German-Chilean oligarch, an indigenous Andean or Mayan, a Chicano, or a nuyorican. Ethnic specificity matters. Do not erase it. Her note on p. 154 is insufficient. Latinx is an abomination. See here on the topic of Hispanic oppression (and privilege).
Who is the audience for this book? It is extremely pedantic in tone with vocabulary from the accepted Critical Race lexicon ["My adjacency to the dominant culture is my power in undoing it" (121)], for which there is a glossary, also messily assembled. There are exercises like creating an identity map every few pages. This was an expensive book to produce with bright colors and illustrations on glossy pages.
"Many others will try to get you to fit into an imaginary box." Identifying those imaginary boxes for the reader's identity are, in fact, the very point of the book. The box the authors refer to on this page, however, is the "dominant culture," meaning anyone of European ancestry unmixed with others, "white, middle class, Christian and cisgender. They are in charge of the institutions and have established behaviors, values, and traditions that are considered acceptable and the 'norm' in our countries" [UK and USA] (17). They are the enemy and oppressor. They are also the minority, since "Black, Brown, and Indigenous folx...are the majority in the world." I remind you that Blacks are 12.6% of the US population. Many people believe Blacks are 30% or more, but no, 12.6%. That matters.
This begs the question, if BIPOC people are the majority in the world, how is it that the minority gained the upper hand? Guns, Germs, and Steel author Jared Diamond responded with a theory about technological advancement, the transmission of disease, and geography.
"The identities that fit neatly into the imaginary box are typically the ones with the most power and agency," (20) agency defined as "your power to make effective change. It's your ability to make choices and decisions" (156). In reality, we all have the same agency. When someone chooses to pick up a gun, study for a test, take or sell illicit drugs, complete homework on time, have unprotected sex, all of those actions represent agency.
No, race is not merely "a social construct" "not based in science" (24) It's not merely illogical to make such an assertion in the age of 23andMe, it can cost lives to pretend genetic predispositions don't exist when they are common to specific ethnic groups. From Penn Medicine:"Two variants of the gene APOL1 — G1 and G2 — are found almost exclusively in people of West African descent. Carrying one risk allele imparts resistance against African sleeping sickness, while having two risk alleles significantly increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, as well as HIV and COVID- induced glomerular disease, among them sickle cell anemia."From UCL regarding HIV: "a genetic variation which evolved to protect people of African descent against malaria has now been shown to increase their susceptibility to HIV infection by up to 40 percent, according to new research. Conversely, the same variation also appears to prolong survival of those infected with HIV by approximately two years.” Clearly, there is genetic basis for ethnicity, and denying those, as the AAMC is intent on doing, will not end well. The empirical truth must always prevail over ideology.
Jewell defines racism as "personal prejudice and bias AND the systemic misuse and abuse of power by institutions" (30) and presents examples of supposed institutionalized racism on pages 39ff. that are so subjective and biased, they are not worth rebutting in detail, but I must make a few statements. First, disparate outcomes are not necessarily the result of racism. Look at FBI Table 43. Black men are just 6% of the U.S. population, yet that demographic commits over 50% of the homicides, mostly of other Black men. 8,488 Black men were murdered in 2021, almost all by other Black men, yet the author chooses to focus on the very few cases of Black men killed by white men. Ideology gives one blinders; it's more convenient that way.
Second, regarding Blacks' disparate health outcomes and life expectancy, studies of Black Seventh Day Adventists, who advocate no alcohol, vegetarianism, and setting aside Saturday for worship and family time have fewer cases of emphysema, myocardial infarction, heart attacks, fibromyalgia, and high cholesterol than White and other Adventists. And cases of hypertension and diabetes were lower for Black Adventists than comparable national rates for both Blacks and non-Blacks, a noteworthy finding.* This may be explained by the fact that Black Adventists reported better health habits than Black non-Adventists. Black females had significantly less cancer than non-Black females. Overall, Black Adventist study participants reported better physical and mental quality of life than the U.S. norm. Personal choices about foods and behavior, as well as aforementioned genetics, are responsible for disparate outcomes.
Third, redlining (which ended in 1968!), which deemed certain neighborhoods “hazardous” and allowing lenders to deny mortgages, preventing Blacks from accumulating wealth,
"denied more white people the same opportunity, since many of the redlined neighborhoods were majority white. The presence of black people was one of the reasons behind redlining, but the effects fell on both whites and blacks. To hear people like Ta-Nehisi Coates tell it, redlining kept black people in a state of economic stagnation during the post-World War II boom years. But the numbers tell us otherwise."--Glen Loury and Harvard historian David Kaiser.
Jewell's Critical Race Theory ideology ignores the facts and sows seeds of resentment and hatred that will only yield a toxic harvest.
Minor sloppy detail: In the USA, "Indian boarding schools started in 1860," but "These schools were the model for the residential schools in Australia and New Zealand" established "In 1814" (64). Obviously, the model must precede the copy, not follow it.
Do I believe her account of her teacher's verbal abuse when she was nine years old? "I think about that day so often..." (89). I believe she remembers it that way, and that memory is emotional, often inaccurate, and highly susceptible to influence. There are bad teachers, bad police officers, bad doctors. And we all have bad days and say things we wish we hadn't, but I've had the experience of students deliberately misinterpreting my actual words. They're kids; they misunderstand. As a teacher, she expresses serious concerns about teachers, particularly the lack of teachers of color. There is mixed evidence about the impact of same-race teachers on student achievement for both black and white students. "By working to actively not see the race/skin color of your students...you are actively denying them....You are basically saying you don't care about who they are" (101). Has Martin Luther King, Jr. become persona non grata? What happened to his Dream?
Should we conclude that the increased support in a homogeneous environment outweighs the benefits of diversity? Why that question? Among many others, Tiffany Jewell and Black educators Bettina Love, Jamila Pitts, and Gholdy Muhammad assert the systemic racism of White educators, who "spirit murder" and Black students, since Black students learn differently, they aver. Black students need to be taught about their identity in culturally responsive classrooms, which a White teacher will not be able to do. Behavior is another issue Jewell raises. In the film PushOut:The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, psychologist Venus Evans-Winters states that she would just slough off a Black girl's behavior a White middle class teacher might interpret as rageful and insubordinate. In Ibram Kendi's How To Be An Anti-Racist, he insists that "Through lynching Black cultures, integrationists are, in the end, more harmful to Black bodies than segregationists are." Research from Black academics gave rise to many universities' creating living learning communities [dorms] just for Blacks, like UCONN's for Black male STEM majors to excel. The graduates of U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities are wildly successful (40% of the Black members of US Congress, 12% Black CEOs, 40% Black engineers, 50% Black lawyers, 80% Black judges). Does this indicate that segregation is better for Blacks? But Jewell is biracial, so once again, this bifurcation can't work for her unless she denounces her whiteness, which she seems eager to do.
"REVERSE RACISM IS NOT REAL"(102). It most certainly is real. Again, in Ibram Kendi's How To Be An Anti-Racist he states, “The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination. The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.” Nope. That will lead to nothing good: hatred, resentment and violence. Even with the definition of racism as prejudice+power, Blacks are considered to be so systematically disenfranchised and lacking in agency that they can never have sufficient power as to be racist. It's indefensible to claim that the Black POTUS, SCOTUS Justices, C-Suite, police chiefs, etc. lack power because "racism is the air we breathe."
In closing, sociologists have observed that people who are half White/half something else identify with the non-White side or exaggeratedly perform the expected non-White ethnic behaviors. That goes for Barack Obama (white mother, absent father, raised by white grandparents); Nikole Hannah-Jones (white mother, black father), the author of The 1619 Project; and the very light-skinned author Tiffany Jewell, whose mother is white, and father was absent, was black. This dynamic requires further study. These people use their media platforms to denounce whiteness, a characteristic of their primary caregiver.
We know that biracial children have a higher frequency of negative emotions (Galasso) and racial ambivalence (Jacobs), with more difficulty in identity formation when the child resembles the Black father more than the white mother (Teicher). "For the mixed child, there is likely to be resentment of both parents, inability to identify with either, and resentment of siblings whose physical racial characteristics are different. Resentment can occur toward both parents when the child feels like the parents are at fault for their identification conflict" (Teicher).
Jacobs (1992) "proposed three developmental stages for biracial identity. Each stage is linked to the concepts of color constancy (the understanding that skin color is invariant and the basis for formulating groups in society)" and the ultimate realization "that although skin color is associated with group membership, it is not a decisive factor. This stage is critical because it challenges society’s assumptions of race and recognizes that feelings of group membership stem from more than phenotype" (Ramirez).
Kich proposed a developmental model of biracial identity with three stages (and cyclic reenactment): "1) An initial awareness of differentness and dissonance between self-perceptions and others' perceptions of them (initially, 3 through 10 years of age) 2) A struggle for acceptance from others (initially, age 8 through late adolescence and young adulthood) 3) Acceptance of themselves as people with a biracial and bicultural identity" [late adolescence throughout adulthood]. These find some echo in the stages identified by Collins' (2000) research: "Phase I, Questioning and Confusion; Phase II, Refusal and Suppression; Phase III, Infusion and Exploration; and Phase IV, Resolution and Acceptance." The rancor, resentment, and even rage expressed by some of our current biracial media figures would seem to indicate a failure of resolution, an un-integrated self-concept, and difficulties during the cyclic reenactment of the other stages as well.
Instead of providing such wounded souls and race hucksters with a bully pulpit from which to divide and destroy the very warp and weft of our society, we should connect them with a talented therapist. I am sad for this author. I am sad for those who center race in all their interactions and considerations. I am sad that our society is at this divided point.
I am also hopeful that this, too, shall pass. Venomous books like this only intensify the hatred and division.
March 2, 2020
An important and informative guide to overcoming racial differences and inequality. The spelling of the word “folx” was annoying, though.
June 20, 2020
This book was a far bigger education than I expected and than I realized I needed. I have always thought of myself as not being racist but by reading this book and understanding the difference between not being racist and actively being anti-racist I have a wholly changed perspective.
I believe this book is targeted towards young adult readers, but I would encourage adults to read this book as well. And if you have kids...read it to them or give it to them! The writing is factual but reader friendly and totally accessible. There are exercises to do throughout the book that ask you to get introspective and sit with your own feelings and beliefs. To think about your personal history. To give thought to what you can do to be anti-racist in your everyday life.
The book serves not only as a educational tool but also provides actionable steps everyone can take whether it's calling out those around you or being a great co-conspirator in the fight against racism. As a white cisgender woman I had not given that much thought to my inherent privilege and that is one of the biggest points of the book. It forces you to look at yourself and your situation and recognize things you may not have given much thought to before.
I highly recommend giving this book a read and taking the time to do the exercises. Tiffany Jewell shares so much of her personal experience and the book is punctuated with great artwork and quotes. This book is a must, not only in today's climate, but to understand how we got here an how to change things going forward.
"When you know better, do better."
Maya Angelou
I believe this book is targeted towards young adult readers, but I would encourage adults to read this book as well. And if you have kids...read it to them or give it to them! The writing is factual but reader friendly and totally accessible. There are exercises to do throughout the book that ask you to get introspective and sit with your own feelings and beliefs. To think about your personal history. To give thought to what you can do to be anti-racist in your everyday life.
The book serves not only as a educational tool but also provides actionable steps everyone can take whether it's calling out those around you or being a great co-conspirator in the fight against racism. As a white cisgender woman I had not given that much thought to my inherent privilege and that is one of the biggest points of the book. It forces you to look at yourself and your situation and recognize things you may not have given much thought to before.
I highly recommend giving this book a read and taking the time to do the exercises. Tiffany Jewell shares so much of her personal experience and the book is punctuated with great artwork and quotes. This book is a must, not only in today's climate, but to understand how we got here an how to change things going forward.
June 6, 2020
I just can’t with “folx”—folks is already gender-neutral! As is “people,” which is also a perfectly good word for a group of humans. So that was unnecessarily distracting. *end rant*
As for the book itself, it’s fine for what it’s trying to do. There are sections that gave me flashbacks to the cheesy self esteem programs we did in elementary school. There’s a history section, which I thought was the weakest because it was really disjointed. It was like, this happened, then in a different century on a different continent, this happened, now here’s a random statistic. I think it could have been pulled together a lot more coherently, either chronologically or by theme. I did like that she included the UK and Europe, since we normally only talk about race in America. The last section is about how to get involved and that was the strongest.
Oh, also, I’m not clear what age this is for. It says YA, but it felt younger a lot of the time (but sort of jumped back and forth). So sort of upper middle grade/young YA/junior high?
As for the book itself, it’s fine for what it’s trying to do. There are sections that gave me flashbacks to the cheesy self esteem programs we did in elementary school. There’s a history section, which I thought was the weakest because it was really disjointed. It was like, this happened, then in a different century on a different continent, this happened, now here’s a random statistic. I think it could have been pulled together a lot more coherently, either chronologically or by theme. I did like that she included the UK and Europe, since we normally only talk about race in America. The last section is about how to get involved and that was the strongest.
Oh, also, I’m not clear what age this is for. It says YA, but it felt younger a lot of the time (but sort of jumped back and forth). So sort of upper middle grade/young YA/junior high?
June 18, 2020
If you're looking for a book that not only informs but brings to light some very important topics, Tiffany Jewell's book is where it's at.
This book goes over racism, personal growth, identity, and general lessons on how to be a good person. It's the kind of positive book I needed when I was younger and I'm sure people today need to read. We're all different and differences can make us stronger. Why destroy others for their differences?
I could easily see classrooms and educational groups picking this book up. It makes learning about the topics of gender and racial differences very simple and makes understanding so easy.
My only negative about this book is the illustrations are kind of weird. Some of them sat strangely with me and I felt they creeped me out more than fit with the story. The colour is bright and amazing though. Otherwise, this book is a gem!
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
This book goes over racism, personal growth, identity, and general lessons on how to be a good person. It's the kind of positive book I needed when I was younger and I'm sure people today need to read. We're all different and differences can make us stronger. Why destroy others for their differences?
I could easily see classrooms and educational groups picking this book up. It makes learning about the topics of gender and racial differences very simple and makes understanding so easy.
My only negative about this book is the illustrations are kind of weird. Some of them sat strangely with me and I felt they creeped me out more than fit with the story. The colour is bright and amazing though. Otherwise, this book is a gem!
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
January 21, 2020
Wow. I loved everything about this book! The historical content, lessons, activities, terms and definitions, and the personal connections the author made to her own life. I realized just how much my schooling was whitewashed, and I think my students will too.
October 16, 2020
I
really
hope there are better books out there for teaching young people how to be anti-racist. This book does have 20 chapters, but other than some nice self-reflection exercises, the author does
not
give 20 lessons on how to “take action and do the work.” When it comes to practical strategies, she gives two: 1) call people in, or 2) call people out. I believe when one is looking for allies, calling people in works much better. But the author admits her preference for calling people out, so here goes.
The writing felt incredibly patronizing, which is usually not well-received by snarky young people. For example, the author’s note at the beginning of the book includes "It is okay for you to continue on with this book and I am so proud of you for picking this up and opening these pages." I immediately pictured 12-year old Sheri thinking “I bought the damn book, I don’t need your freaking permission to read it. And you know precisely nothing about me, so telling me you’re proud of me is precisely stupid.” Then I pictured 12-year old Sheri slamming the book down and looking for something better to read. (Apparently, that snarky 12-year old still lives in my head!)
When text is formatted with both left and right margin alignment (as this book is), the result is inconsistent gaps between words. I personally dislike it very much! But, despite personal preference, I also know that it can be extremely disorienting—therefore difficult to read—for people with dyslexia. I doubt this is common knowledge, but editors and typesetters should know it, so I’m calling out whoever made the ugly (and exclusionary) text-alignment decision.
I had a couple of other issues, but enough said.
As learning to be anti-racist is important to me, I’ll be looking for better books on the topic.
The writing felt incredibly patronizing, which is usually not well-received by snarky young people. For example, the author’s note at the beginning of the book includes "It is okay for you to continue on with this book and I am so proud of you for picking this up and opening these pages." I immediately pictured 12-year old Sheri thinking “I bought the damn book, I don’t need your freaking permission to read it. And you know precisely nothing about me, so telling me you’re proud of me is precisely stupid.” Then I pictured 12-year old Sheri slamming the book down and looking for something better to read. (Apparently, that snarky 12-year old still lives in my head!)
When text is formatted with both left and right margin alignment (as this book is), the result is inconsistent gaps between words. I personally dislike it very much! But, despite personal preference, I also know that it can be extremely disorienting—therefore difficult to read—for people with dyslexia. I doubt this is common knowledge, but editors and typesetters should know it, so I’m calling out whoever made the ugly (and exclusionary) text-alignment decision.
I had a couple of other issues, but enough said.
As learning to be anti-racist is important to me, I’ll be looking for better books on the topic.
November 29, 2020
This book is definitely aimed towards teens and tweens so if you're looking for in-depth information, this might not be the resource for you. That being said, this book does offer tidbits and statistics about race that aren't common knowledge to many. I learned about the Grenfell tower fire and the Windrush generation in the U.K., for instance. I also appreciated the guide in the back with suggestions as to what the average citizen can do to be actively anti-racist.
June 5, 2020
This book blends personal experiences with historical references and uses data, brightly illustrated infographics, suggested activities, and recommendations for working in solidarity against racism to serve as a call to action for all interested co-conspirators. This is a must-have purchase for middle and high school classroom and school libraries.
June 8, 2020
"Someone described racism to me as the smog we breathe. It is all around us; racism is everywhere. Our lives are polluted with racism and it harms us all. The more we are aware of this smog of racism, the better equipped we can become to combat this toxic way of being."
January 30, 2020
Between the adamant prose and joyful artwork, this book is required reading for adults and kids alike!
The focus of each chapter follows a natural progression from personal identity to collective awareness to transformative action; each chapter also offers reflective writing exercises to relate the material back to the reader’s own life.
What I appreciate most about Jewell’s words is how she manages to be so clear-eyed and concise without dumbing down any of these topics for young readers. No, on the contrary, she brings young people in like peers and vessels of their own wisdom and experience, capable of changing the world around them through personal fortitude.
I ordered this book for a 6th grade class at my school, and was so happy to see multiple students request it and ask me questions about it after the colorful artwork caught their eye. On a side note: the format of this book makes it a powerful window into engaging nonfiction texts, especially for students who are reluctant to leave the graphic novel landscape.
I can’t wait to usher this book into all our middle school classrooms and see where the conversation takes us.
The focus of each chapter follows a natural progression from personal identity to collective awareness to transformative action; each chapter also offers reflective writing exercises to relate the material back to the reader’s own life.
What I appreciate most about Jewell’s words is how she manages to be so clear-eyed and concise without dumbing down any of these topics for young readers. No, on the contrary, she brings young people in like peers and vessels of their own wisdom and experience, capable of changing the world around them through personal fortitude.
I ordered this book for a 6th grade class at my school, and was so happy to see multiple students request it and ask me questions about it after the colorful artwork caught their eye. On a side note: the format of this book makes it a powerful window into engaging nonfiction texts, especially for students who are reluctant to leave the graphic novel landscape.
I can’t wait to usher this book into all our middle school classrooms and see where the conversation takes us.
April 26, 2022
How can you deny the existence of races and yet still base your entire worldview on it? Also, for a book naming itself "anti-racist", this is very racist, like most "anti-racist" things.
June 26, 2020
I love how this book presents a balance of straightforward information (quick but critical glimpses of history & systems) with action items & work-book style reflection prompts. This book is great for any age & is also a wonderful tool for parents/educators to engage in conversations & actions around racism & identity. I plan to revisit this book over & over again as a personal tool for doing anti-racist work & as a parenting guide.
March 26, 2024
✩ 5 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼
~
“𝒲𝑒 𝑔𝓇𝑜𝓌 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓂𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉.”
~
if u want an easy introduction to the history of racism, then i highly recommend u read this.
~
“𝒲𝑒 𝑔𝓇𝑜𝓌 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓂𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉.”
~
if u want an easy introduction to the history of racism, then i highly recommend u read this.
July 9, 2025
As an educator who works with children and families in a multi-cultural setting, I feel that it was very important for me to read this book and learn more about how to use the privileges I was lucky enough to be born with to do good and help others. Whether you’ve experienced it or not, prejudice does exist in this world. It’s our job to protect and help those who are being impacted by what is being said and done in the world as much as possible. Everyone has their own unique identity and no one should be forced to deal with prejudice and racism. Unfortunately this is a common issue in our current climate and world, this is why it is so important for people like me and anyone else reading this, to learn how to better support others around us.
July 24, 2020
The author’s definition of racism is “personal prejudice and bias AND the systemic misuse and abuse of power by institutions.” I feel strongly that the author uses this definition of racism to justify her own (obvious) “personal prejudice and bias” towards people who fit into what she calls the “box” (white, male, educated, cis, etc.). If the book weren’t full of her own personal prejudices, there would still be the issue of how she says to address racism as an anti racist. I have zero problems with her suggestion to call people out and call people in (public vs private). But those are really the only suggestions she gives. I think she mentions creating antiracist art maybe once, but that’s it. There are many other ways to be antiracist, and I wish that this book included ways more suited to introverts. Mostly though, the biggest reason I disliked this book was because of the authors own personal prejudice and basically saying that it wasn’t a problem because her personal prejudices do not contribute to the “systemic misuse and abuse of power by institutions.”
Adding though that the art in this book is wonderful! I give 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to illustrator Aurélia Durand.
Adding though that the art in this book is wonderful! I give 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to illustrator Aurélia Durand.
December 13, 2019
A beautiful book, bright and creatively illustrated with the most important message. I believe this book would be suitable for not only school age (teenagers) but older as it is so well done. Presented well, easily understood, written in plain English and each chapter has different activities. It has 20 lessons for anti-racism teaching about privilege, inclusion, conscious and unconscious choices. I recommend this book for everyone. A truly beautiful and much needed book.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
October 1, 2020
This reminds me so much of the how to be a pre-teen girl books released by American Girl when I was a kid (in tone and writing style if not in subject). This is a perfect intro to anti-racism for the 12-14 age range, broken into simple, easily digestible chunks and featuring gorgeous, colorful illustrations and activities that will be perfect for classroom or youth group use.
June 13, 2020
A quick and simple guide to privilege and racism and how people can use their privilege to speak up for those that cannot and to hold the door open for people who are not as privileged. It’s a pretty basic guide, foundational really. easy to understand language with space for reflection
December 30, 2020
শ্বেতাঙ্গ-সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠ দেশের বাচ্চাদের বর্ণবাদ বিষয়ক শিক্ষার জন্য ভালো একটি বই। বাংলাদেশের বাচ্চাদের জন্য কার্যকর করতে হলে ইতিহাস-উদাহরণগুলো তাদের চেনা-জানা পরিবেশ থেকে তুলে আনতে হবে। বয়স্কদের জন্য অন্য বই বেশি উপযুক্ত হবে বলে মনে করি।
July 4, 2020
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Like many, I'm sure, there have been numerous occasions in my life in which I have found myself feeling disheartened about change. I've been in moments where I was unsure what I could possibly do to fix the horrible things I saw in the world, moments where I felt like everything I tried was useless. I guarantee at some point or another we all end up in that space. The thing I love about This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell and illustrated by Aurélia Durand is that it offers an opportunity to move past those moments of feeling helpless and provides readers with actionable goals.
I will always be immensely grateful to resources like this. It is an unfortunate thing about this world and people in general that we often choose the easy path with nearly everything. This is actually rooted in our own psychology, the inclination that leads us toward taking shortcuts and not putting in the extra effort required for nearly everything. And while this is something everyone, including myself, need to work hard to combat every day it is nonetheless immensely helpful when books like this are put together. Not only do they bring the history and material to educate others on topics like racism and the difference between being not racist and being anti-racist, but they offer life-applicable goals and information to lead readers toward the next steps they must take.
This Book is Anti-Racist is an incredibly pertinent read, one that literally everyone can benefit from picking up. The fact of the matter is that when you don't know everything and you're not sure how to go about fighting for much-needed change, you have resources available and ready to help you. This book is one of those resources and I have high hopes that it will help many people develop a better understanding of racism and pave a path forward of purposeful action to bring about change.
And yes, while I did find the phrasing of folx distracting and unnecessary--I don't know the history, but I'm pretty sure the word folks is gender-neutral--the most important take-away from this book has nothing to do with a single word choice. So, please, don't let that one word pull you away from the broader importance of the message this book is sending.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Like many, I'm sure, there have been numerous occasions in my life in which I have found myself feeling disheartened about change. I've been in moments where I was unsure what I could possibly do to fix the horrible things I saw in the world, moments where I felt like everything I tried was useless. I guarantee at some point or another we all end up in that space. The thing I love about This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell and illustrated by Aurélia Durand is that it offers an opportunity to move past those moments of feeling helpless and provides readers with actionable goals.
I will always be immensely grateful to resources like this. It is an unfortunate thing about this world and people in general that we often choose the easy path with nearly everything. This is actually rooted in our own psychology, the inclination that leads us toward taking shortcuts and not putting in the extra effort required for nearly everything. And while this is something everyone, including myself, need to work hard to combat every day it is nonetheless immensely helpful when books like this are put together. Not only do they bring the history and material to educate others on topics like racism and the difference between being not racist and being anti-racist, but they offer life-applicable goals and information to lead readers toward the next steps they must take.
This Book is Anti-Racist is an incredibly pertinent read, one that literally everyone can benefit from picking up. The fact of the matter is that when you don't know everything and you're not sure how to go about fighting for much-needed change, you have resources available and ready to help you. This book is one of those resources and I have high hopes that it will help many people develop a better understanding of racism and pave a path forward of purposeful action to bring about change.
And yes, while I did find the phrasing of folx distracting and unnecessary--I don't know the history, but I'm pretty sure the word folks is gender-neutral--the most important take-away from this book has nothing to do with a single word choice. So, please, don't let that one word pull you away from the broader importance of the message this book is sending.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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June 6, 2020
I sincerely hope this is stocked in every school library across the UK and US, but though it is indeed aimed predominantly at a YA audience, there is still so much that adult readers like myself can take from it. Every point discussed is applicable and educational no matter your age, and I was pleasantly surprised by how wide the book’s scope was, especially when considering its relative brevity and the complexity of the issue it’s addressing.
Jewell writes with clarity, compassion and warmth, articulating her every point without condescending those who may be newer to the concepts of engrained racism and white privilege. Her approach is wonderfully intersectional and nuanced, incorporating many factors that comprise our individual identity and socioeconomic background. I think she struck a perfect balance between personal experience and wider societal examples when backing up her arguments, and though most historical detail is centred around the UK and US, she does draw on instances of systematic racism from throughout the world. This was a very welcome touch, as it’s something not often seen in a book that feels as succinct and digestible as this does.
I also adore how self-aware Jewell is as both an anti-racism campaigner and a human being. She is not at all shy in highlighting her own privileges and flaws, even detailing specific examples where she feels she as a biracial woman handled race-related issues poorly. By showing that we’re all constantly learning and improving, she essentially gives her readers permission to make mistakes when tackling societal prejudices and their own inherited biases, thus fuelling them to always strive for better within themselves. After all, you can’t make mistakes if you aren’t trying, and trying is proof that you care.
Calls to action and activity suggestions at the end of each chapter encourage us all to be more proactive and self-critical when considering how we (singularly and collectively) can tackle racism moving forward. They provide excellent opportunities to reflect on and analyse where we stand at any given time, and equip us with the tools necessary to safely recognise, challenge, and overturn everyday racism.
Jewell writes with clarity, compassion and warmth, articulating her every point without condescending those who may be newer to the concepts of engrained racism and white privilege. Her approach is wonderfully intersectional and nuanced, incorporating many factors that comprise our individual identity and socioeconomic background. I think she struck a perfect balance between personal experience and wider societal examples when backing up her arguments, and though most historical detail is centred around the UK and US, she does draw on instances of systematic racism from throughout the world. This was a very welcome touch, as it’s something not often seen in a book that feels as succinct and digestible as this does.
I also adore how self-aware Jewell is as both an anti-racism campaigner and a human being. She is not at all shy in highlighting her own privileges and flaws, even detailing specific examples where she feels she as a biracial woman handled race-related issues poorly. By showing that we’re all constantly learning and improving, she essentially gives her readers permission to make mistakes when tackling societal prejudices and their own inherited biases, thus fuelling them to always strive for better within themselves. After all, you can’t make mistakes if you aren’t trying, and trying is proof that you care.
Calls to action and activity suggestions at the end of each chapter encourage us all to be more proactive and self-critical when considering how we (singularly and collectively) can tackle racism moving forward. They provide excellent opportunities to reflect on and analyse where we stand at any given time, and equip us with the tools necessary to safely recognise, challenge, and overturn everyday racism.
August 7, 2020
Highly recommended to young adults and adults alike
This is such a well written book, I don't know where to start :-) As a white male, I can safely say I learned a few things and most importantly got a seriously well documented scaffold to build conversations with my kiddo.
The book covers a lot of topics, but in short enough chapters that it allows anyone to either take note, focus on each activities at the end of the chapters, or switch back and forth to re-read the content. I love the fact that it ends with some clear vocabulary explanation and a very good list of further reads and other supporting literary work. Everybody should read it. And I seriously mean everybody. This would give all of us a chance to speak the same language on being anti-racists and perpetuating it.
This is such a well written book, I don't know where to start :-) As a white male, I can safely say I learned a few things and most importantly got a seriously well documented scaffold to build conversations with my kiddo.
The book covers a lot of topics, but in short enough chapters that it allows anyone to either take note, focus on each activities at the end of the chapters, or switch back and forth to re-read the content. I love the fact that it ends with some clear vocabulary explanation and a very good list of further reads and other supporting literary work. Everybody should read it. And I seriously mean everybody. This would give all of us a chance to speak the same language on being anti-racists and perpetuating it.
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