Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Ibram X. Kendi
Overall Rating: 5/5 <- genuine average
Narrative: 5/5
Characterization: 5/5
Clarity: 5/5
Summary: A comprehensive look at American history through an anti-racist lens. The book moves through five major stages of human history and each stage is told with a specific "guide" in mind, someone who defined racism or anti-racism during that period of time.
Impression: Reading the history of racism and how deeply ingrained it is in American culture was very sobering for me. The writing here is excellent, clear and concise and empathic in its treatment of all sides of the issue. To say I enjoyed it would be only moderately accurate: it's not a subject to be enjoyed. It's a subject to be understood and learned from. I definitely know more and understand more about American history than I did when I started.
Conclusion/Recommendations: The Young Adult Readers edition of this book, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You was recently challenged in a high school curriculum and been the center of debate about teaching critical race theory in public schools. After reading this book, I believe that critical race theory is vital to this nation going forward. We need to question and understand what we have been taught and what we believe about ourselves. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in a primary on anti-racism and American history.
No comments:
Post a Comment