My Notes on "How to Be an Antiracist" a Speech by Ibram X Kendi

I've never considered myself racist, but then again, I don't think anyone does. I never thought black people were anything less than equal. At the same time, I know I've had racist thoughts born of the culture I inherited that has propagated racist ideology throughout the history of our nation. I knew I had the advantage of white male privilege. I assumed that since I wasn't taking direct racist action, I was ok. If someone asked about racism or if I heard someone being racist, I would say something; if I saw someone taking racist action, I would do something. I thought that was enough. I was wrong.

“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe.”~Elie Wiesel Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."~Maya Angelou

If you are ready to do your part to be a part of the solution, it is essential to realize change comes from within and starts in our everyday lives. To do that or any other action effectively, you need to educate yourself on the issues and recognize where you can do better. I recommended the movie 13th (link below) and still do if you haven't seen it. This past week I started the audiobook "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X Kendi. Ibram is a black man who has studied African American history for decades. Before starting the book, I listened to a speech he gave on the topic (link below). The first half of the video was his speech; the second half was a Q&A session, both of which were good. Below are some of my favorite parts of the video. In line with the quote from Elie Wiesel above, he lays out a compelling argument for inaction being support for racist society. The oppressor has the power and can continue without your direct support. The oppressed have less power and need help from those who have more power to see liberation and justice. A comforting and eye-opening part of his speech was his admission that he too was guilty of racist thought and propagating racist speech in an oratory competition when he was younger. You can be black and be guilty of racist thought, speech, and action. You can be guilty of saying or doing something racist in one moment, and then say or do something antiracist in the next. Another significant part of his message is the explanation of how other marginalized groups will benefit from antiracism. For all black lives to matter, black female lives have to matter, black disabled lives must matter, and black trans lives also matter. To be antiracist, you must oppose all forms of bigotry that impact people of all colors. The closing part of his speech lays out an essential aspect of making change. In it, he talks about how you have to believe change is possible to make it happen. Two decades of studying the shifting and ever-present racism in our society, and he still has hope. He has seen the omnipresent racist power in America, the progress we have made, and the progress we have yet to make, and believes that change is possible. I believe change is possible. I think accountability for police officers who abuse their power is one step, but it’s only the first step. To continue the journey to eliminating racial inequity, we all need to do our part. That starts with acknowledging our responsibility, educating ourselves, and taking steps in our everyday lives to be antiracist, including political action.

Resources

13th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8

Ibram X. Kendi on How to be an Antiracist, at UC Berkeley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxa43H8m034