Unit 1: What does it mean to be anti-racist?
Target Objectives
Participants will:
Define antiracism;
Understand the difference between stating "I am not racist" and being anti-racist; and
Analyze their assumptions and beliefs about racism and anti-racism
What does it mean to be anti-racist?
In the book "How To Be An AntiRacist" By Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, an antiracist is defined as "one who is supporting an antiracist policy through their actions or expressing an antiracist idea." He also stated that being racist or antiracist is not a fixed state of being. He states "We can be racist one minute and an antiracist the next. What we say about race, what we do about race, in each moment, determines what- not who- we are."
Dr. Kendi provides further detail in the following video, as he explains the difference between being "not racist" and antiracist.
- Click the link below to watch the video up to the 15:25 min. mark. Feel free to listen to the entire talk if you feel moved to do so.
Unit Reflection
Post your reflection on the video. The following questions are for guidance purposes only:
1. What does it mean to be anti-racist?
2. What struck you or stayed with you after watching the video?
3. What does Dr. Kendi mean when he states "the heartbeat of racism is denial, and really the heartbeat of anti-racism is confession"?
4. What is the first step you, personally, will take in striving to be an antiracist? How will you check yourself and hold yourself accountable if you notice you, or someone else, is being racist?
Additinal Resources
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-ibram-x-kendi-on-how-to-be-an-antiracist/
References
Kendi, I. X. (2019). How to be an antiracist. New York, NY: One World.
Next: Unit 2: Valuing and Validating Your Students’ Cultural Identities