I think this is more of book for academics. Hard to read as a white person, but a very important book to read as a white person. ( )

Everyone needs to read this book! Kendi provides profound insight into racism through the lens of his lived experience. Shows us how racism is a cancer that has infected the human spirit and that if we aren't attentive we may be sick too. This book is very approachable and meets you where you are if you are willing to learn. ( )

I guarantee that if you read this book, there will be something you disagree with. But I strongly believe that if you read the whole thing, walk the intellectual path Kendi lays out, then you will find much you agree with and much to ponder. He will challenge your assumptions. But he will not attack you as a person. So do not be afraid to pick up this book and perhaps see the world in a different light.
[Audiobook note: Kendi reads this book himself. This was not wise. Far too often, his delivery is too rhythmically choppy to be a good listen. You should probably stick to the print version.] ( )

This book is SO good. I can't recommend it enough. Racism is a highly charged topic and Kendi could easily (and rightfully) have put white people on blast. It's what I expected when I started reading, but I want to learn how to do better so I dived in. What I got instead was Kendi's journey through his own racism and antiracism beliefs along with the knowledge to help me move myself further along the antiracism spectrum. I also highly recommend Stamped from the Beginning. ( )

I keep thinking about this story I heard on NPR yesterday about Nigerians approving of Donald Trump (https://www.npr.org/2020/02/11/804941367/nigeria-may-be-part-of-trumps-travel-ban-but-nigerians-tend-to-trust-trump).

When the story began, it made no sense to me. He called African nations shitholes and they like him? Then the reporter in Nigeria said, "President Trump is saying the things we know everybody is thinking." So her explanation is 6 out of 10 of Nigerians like him because he is openly racist.

I went on to read the reporter's longer story in the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/trump-trashes-nigeria-and-bans-its-immigrants-nigerians-love-him-for-it/2020/02/07/ed985a4c-4853-11ea-ab15-b5df3261b710_story.html). This is what she says:

"Perhaps that is another reason Nigerians love Trump: With all the outlandishness his presidency has unleashed, he has shown that America isn’t some ideal place where leaders and the media and the opposition always conduct themselves with decorum. He has exposed the 'African' in all of you."

What. The. Hell.

Anyway, please read this book. Please make antiracist choices and support antiracist policies. ( )