Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion
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How to Be an Antiracist
Group Read-How ToBeAn Antiracist
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I guess a natural starting point would be why I would read this in the first place. I am well aware that most of what i read falls in the "trash" category, mysteries and thrillers. I do pepper it though with appropriate non fiction.Historically, the world seems to be changing under our feet. I have always considered my self a fair and compassionate person, but I certainly am more passive than active. This seems like a read that will make me consider my relationship with the rest of the world, particularly with people of color.
It's on my TBR and now will be pushed to the top. I would love to discuss it with you all. Very timely. I know some of you well enough to trust that the discussion will be respectful and judgment-free.I think we may want to dispense with the chapter summaries--if the chapters have subject titles that may be enough?
Yikes, 177 in line, Overdrive listen will be available in 25 weeks. Think I'm going to have to spring for an Audible copy.
Carol: It's well worth the credit, and I agree, and expect that comments will be respectful and judgement-free. Barry is going to handle the synopses as he reads. He can add post(s) as he sees fit. I have a similar wait at the library for a digital copy so may go with print for a re-read.
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Yikes, 177 in line, Overdrive listen will be available in 25 weeks. Think I'm going to have to spring for an Audible copy.
I think we may want to dispense with the chapter summaries--if the chapters have subject titles that may be enough."
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Yikes, 177 in line, Overdrive listen will be available in 25 weeks. Think I'm going to have to spring for an Audible copy."Beats buying the Inaudible one.
I'm 2nd in line for the ebook from the library.
from the author's site:1. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi shares his own experience with racist thinking. How does his
honesty help give us space to acknowledge and name our own racist behaviors and attitudes?
2. Kendi writes, “The only way to undo racism is to constantly identify it and describe it—and then
dismantle it.” Why does he believe we need to call out racism when we see it, even if it can be
uncomfortable to identify?
3. The book’s central message is that the opposite of “racist” isn’t “not racist.” The true opposite
of “racist” is antiracist. “The good news,” Kendi writes, “is that racist and antiracist are not fixed
identities. We can be racist one minute and an antiracist the next.” What does it mean to have to
constantly reaffirm your identity as an antiracist? Is there any benefit to the fact that you can’t just
decide you are “not racist” or an antiracist and be done with it?
4. What is the first step you, personally, will take in striving to be an antiracist? How will you check
yourself and hold yourself accountable if you notice you, or someone else, is being racist?
5. Kendi thinks that we should assess candidates as being racist or antiracist based on what ideas they
are expressing and what policies they are supporting—and not what they say is in their bones or
their heart. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
6. Anyone who values immigrants from European countries and devalues immigrants from Latin
America is guilty of racism. Have you ever been guilty of this type of racism? Discuss the unique
resilience and resourcefulness people possess if they leave everything in their native country
behind and immigrate to another, as Kendi examines in the chapter on Ethnicity.
7. There’s a stronger and clearer correlation between levels of violent crime and unemployment
levels than between violent crime and race, but that’s not the story policymakers have chosen
to tell. Discuss why you think this is. How might our society and culture change if policymakers
characterized dangerous Black neighborhoods as dangerous unemployed neighborhoods?
8. Why do you think it is so hard for people to not assess other cultures from their own cultural
standards? How does doing this trap people in racist ideas?
9. Inequities between Light and Dark African Americans can be as wide as inequities between Black
and White Americans. How have you seen colorism play out in real life and/or in the media?
10. Kendi writes, “White supremacist is code for anti-human, a nuclear ideology that poses an
existential threat to human existence.” How are white supremacists and their ideology actually
harmful to all of humanity—including white people?
11. Kendi makes the case that to be antiracist, one must stand against all forms of bigotry. Why is
standing against other bigotries so essential to standing against racism?
12. Kendi closes the book comparing racism and cancer. What do you think of this comparison?
13. Kendi believes we can defy the odds, heal society of racism, and create an antiracist society. Do you?
Why is hope so central to the antiracist movement?
Thanks for the tip Sherry! (July 20) 😀Sherry wrote: "He’s doing an online talk on 6/20. https://facebook.com/events/s/ibram-x..."
Barry: excellent question about the initial approach. I remember thinking that Kendi's openness was helpful and in a way, "evened the playing field" to use an expression. It set a tone that allowed me as the reader to feel understood and hope for the possibility of change. As I recall (after a year's gap) the beginning helped me be open to his ideas and to understand how embedded racism is. Barry wrote: "from the author's site:
1. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi shares his own experience with racist thinking. How does his
honesty help give us space to acknowledge and name our own racist behaviors..."
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.
I read it last year and may read it again. The author narrated the audio and I found it to be very powerful. If you are planning on reading the book we invite you to join in a respectful and judgement-free discussion.