Highly recommend ( )

This is an important book for everyone to read whether or not they have children of their own. It addresses the origins of racism in children and the way that these ideas can either be stopped or changed into making children antiracist by modeling such behavior to them in whatever role an adult has to a child.

This is such a good book because the author is an excellent writer and teacher. His prose is organized, crystal clear, and sprinkled with pertinent examples for points he makes. It’s really a delight to read.

I especially liked the section of this book which deals with teaching critical thinking skills. Much of this could be directed at other adults as well, such as the use of questions to understand reasons for things happening and human behavior.

This book offers many good ideas for countering racism. I hope this book is widely read and its suggestions put into practice. ( )

How to Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi is a valuable book for anyone even remotely involved in a child's life. The lessons here will have as much impact on the adults as on the children.

I am in complete agreement with the idea that everyone is, in practice, either racist or antiracist. In other words, if all one says is "I am not racist," even if they mean it, but does little to nothing to combat racism, then they are a de facto racist. If you don't speak up when a friend says or does something, you are encouraging further racism, thus, in action, you are a racist, even if you disagree with what they said or did. One doesn't define oneself by a negation, being "not a racist" might be descriptive but not much more. In a society in which race is built into so many aspects, one is either antiracist or, whether through inaction or actual intent, racist. That said, even someone who is antiracist can do or say racist things. The difference is usually one of awareness. An antiracist is less concerned with defending oneself than with improving, while the racist (including the "I'm not racist" variety) tries to rationalize or defend. We all have moments where we contribute to the racism in our society, to pretend otherwise is dangerous. It is what we choose to do when we realize what we are doing that makes a difference, both in ourselves and our society.

All of that is to say that I found this book valuable in not just how I (should have) raised my children but also in how I can contribute to how others raise their children. The children in extended families and in communities are raised by everyone there, like it or not. We can make it easier on parents if we are also modeling antiracist behavior. Ideally we do so all the time no matter who is around, but we can make a point of being particularly vigilant when young people are around.

If you're worried about being preached to in this book, don't be. Kendi passionately makes his points but does so as often by showing his own mistakes as pointing out the mistakes of others. The personal thread that runs throughout the book makes it almost memoirish at the same time that it allows the reader to feel less guilt about the mistakes in our past. We make mistakes, we can learn from them and improve or dwell on rationalizing them and contribute to racism. That choice is on you.

I would highly recommend this to not only parents but anyone even remotely involved with young people.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist has been a cornerstone of the movement to read your way to a better understanding of racism and how individuals can combat it in everyday life. He seems to be turning it into a franchise with Antiracist Baby and now How to Raise an Antiracist. I don’t begrudge him his fame, and he has an excellent ability to break down racism and explain circumstances and actions, but if you have read his first book this one covers much of the same territory. With that said, it is very interesting, written in Kendi’s straightforward style, and contains a lot of valuable and relatable information, so definitely worthwhile reading. ( )