Summary of How to Be an Anti-Racist: The Great America Explained by Ibram X. Kendi

Anti-racism is a radical idea that reorients and re-energizes the discourse around racism and, even more importantly, leads us toward revolutionary new ways of thinking about each other and about ourselves.

Racism is, at its core, a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value; its distorted logic extends beyond race, from the way we look at people of different ethnicities or colors of the skin, to the way we treat people of different sexes, gender identities, and types of bodies.

Racism is taking many forms, and can occur in many areas. This encompasses prejudice, discrimination, or hatred directed against someone on account of their color, ethnicity, or national origin.

People often associate racism with abusive or harassing acts. It needn't involve violent or intimidating behavior, however. Take the name-calling, racial slurs, and the jokes. Or consider situations where individuals may be excluded from groups or activities because of where they originate.

Racism can be revealed both through the actions of individuals and their attitudes. It can also be expressed in the institutions and systems. But it may not be shown at all, at times. Not all prejudice is easy to see. For instance, somebody might look through a list of job applicants and decide not to interview people with certain surnames.

Racism is more than mere words, convictions, and actions. It includes all the barriers preventing people from enjoying dignity and equality due to race.

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