This is where the standard book review doesn't apply. As the deepest dive into the "definitive history of racist ideas in America," Ibram X. Kendi lays out the complete and full story of all the things that we thought we knew (spoiler alert: most of us got the tip of the iceberg cliff notes), and the MANY things that we (including me) may not have had a clue on.
In starting this book, I had a highlighter and a pencil - a combo I haven't used since grad school days. I was assuming I'd have a few colors here and there - but guys, this was LIT UP. And those colors showed me what surprised me, what shocked me, what made me visibly cringe, and what made my brain explode and double underline phrases like "THIS" - and it was most of this huge book.
This is a must-read for all people. This is not "self improvement" work for white people, but more of a critical education to make sense of this world right now, to educate yourself, educate your kids, and to have more powerful conversations that are now rooted in a place of fact over opinion or a (limited) personal life experience, and to better understand how and why becoming a better ally is critical for a better and more equal world. Trust me, you'll GET IT in a whole new way of why this movement is so overdue. READ IT.
And of course, a huge thanks to @melantedreader for hosting this #letsgetstamped read-along with @booksteahenny & @_pagesgaloree and for putting this book on my radar - and to @thereadingroom444 for also posting discussion guides/videos and for all around being awesome. (#bookstagram lovers - follow these accounts if you aren't already!)
If you've read this book - I'd love to hear your thoughts on how much "highlighter" you used in learning more. Were you surprised how much?
#letsgetstamped #stampedfromthebeginning #ibramxkendi
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