This book explores the history of racism and how it has impacted minority groups. The author, Ibram Kendi, believes that racist ideologies have been in place for a long time in America. The contemporary misconception of society leaning toward antiracism is misleading. Kendi argues that assimilationists, abolitionists, and segregationists play a significant role in disparities witnessed in the country. The debate on racial prejudice continues to elude policymakers. Institutions have normalized racism through policies. People who are notable for their liberal ideas and activism have also not helped the situation. From the early colonial period, laws supporting slavery found their way into the constitution.
The thought that people of color may improve by adopting white culture has been there since the Enlightenment Era. During this time, assimilationists believed that minority groups need to adopt the cultural traditions of the majority group. Kendi believes that such an ideology is racist. The idea of a minority community integrating with mainstream culture is irrelevant. Anti-racists have been blaming people of color for their woes. These people believe that the black community has been problematic all along. Kendi believes that such an idea is inapt because it regards whites as superior and blacks as inferior.
American policies are put in place to serve social, political, and economic interests. Such interests are stumbling blocks to racial progress. The idea of enacting racial policies ends up increasing racial disparities. Kendi argues that to end racism, people should be against all forms of colorism, homophobia, cultural prejudice, and sexism. Furthermore, he urges people of color to rediscover and adopt their own culture without adopting American culture.
