How To Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi, is setting much of the tone of how race is discussed in America, and therefore is an important book. In order to understand the new terms and parameters of the discussion of race in America, Kendi’s book is key. He makes important points.
Most of us know that race, as a biological category, is meaningless. Since the sequencing of the human genome science helps us to understand that there is very little genetic difference between so-called races; in fact, there is far more genetic diversity within groups, like Africans, than there are outside of groups. If we don’t know this, we should. Race is a social construct.
That social construct was recently created. It was 'crafted' by the Portuguese in the 1400s to justify the slave trade in Africans. This, in turn, leads to Kendi's major thesis: racists policies create racists ideas, and not the other way around. Also, racism is not caused by ignorance of racial groups, a common idea, but by those in power who are very aware of the group they are trying to suppress through racist policies.
These are Kendi’s main ideas, and he runs them through various scenarios. This book, part policy statement, part memoir, presents concepts in a clear manner. Some will find his arguments circular. Sometimes they are. Others will think he is too repetitive. This happens too. Some will find his largely binary scheme too confining. Perhaps this is the case.
Regardless, this is an important book. In the right hands, it can begin important and meaningful conversations about a topic that haunts our nation.
Most of us know that race, as a biological category, is meaningless. Since the sequencing of the human genome science helps us to understand that there is very little genetic difference between so-called races; in fact, there is far more genetic diversity within groups, like Africans, than there are outside of groups. If we don’t know this, we should. Race is a social construct.
That social construct was recently created. It was 'crafted' by the Portuguese in the 1400s to justify the slave trade in Africans. This, in turn, leads to Kendi's major thesis: racists policies create racists ideas, and not the other way around. Also, racism is not caused by ignorance of racial groups, a common idea, but by those in power who are very aware of the group they are trying to suppress through racist policies.
These are Kendi’s main ideas, and he runs them through various scenarios. This book, part policy statement, part memoir, presents concepts in a clear manner. Some will find his arguments circular. Sometimes they are. Others will think he is too repetitive. This happens too. Some will find his largely binary scheme too confining. Perhaps this is the case.
Regardless, this is an important book. In the right hands, it can begin important and meaningful conversations about a topic that haunts our nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment