Year 4, week 4: How to Be an Antiracist

This week's book:
How to be an Antiracist
By Ibram X. Kendi

This week’s book is a book my husband and I read together for a book group through our church. Every Monday night, I would go to the picnic area at our church (to social distance), and discuss the book a few chapters at a time. Our group was going into such great detail that we ended up slowing down and reading and discussing one chapter a week, and started meeting at one of the book discussion member's blueberry patch. The book was very well written, and I completely understand why it has become such a bestseller. The book group has been meeting for a few years I believe, but this was the first book time i had the time to actually attend the meetings. 

I was glad that this book spoke about new issues that a few of the other books I have read recently facing racism did not. The book deals with legislation and the laws or ways that black people are at a disadvantage compared to white people. The chapters I found the most interesting were the chapters discussing sex and gender. Most of the books I have read recently have only discussed heterosexual black men and hardly ever touched on women or the LGBTQ+ community. 

I have started following the author on social media because his way with words really spoke to my heart. I finally received my copy of his baby board book as well, and we have been reading it to our kids. When I feel lost and don't know much I can do personally to "fix" the world, my sweet husband reminds me that it's our job to make sure we raise understanding, loving young people. I would recommend this book to anyone who is trying to educate themselves about racism and racial issues. 

Note from the Hubby: I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well. Most of the books I've tried to read about this topic were either far too dry and read like a thesis, or were out-of-date and failed to capture the events of the past decade. The author did a good job tying his personal anecdotes to his discussion, and he touched on racial topics regarding sexuality, gender, and class that most books and discussions tend to gloss over. I'm sure my words aren't doing this book justice, but I definitely recommend this book.