REVIEW: How To Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi

Genre: Non-Fiction

Release Date: 7th July 2022

Publisher: Vintage | Bodley Head

"Nothing raises an antiracist child more effectively than an antiracist society."

I don't have my own children. But I do believe we are constantly raising ourselves to be better people, so I'd still definitely recommend you pick up this book regardless. And besides, it takes a village right?

Kendi highlights a point that is becoming clearer in modern times - it is no longer enough to just not be racist, we must be actively anti-racist in our actions and beliefs if we are truly to achieve fairness and equality, and to unlearn countless years of systemic discrimination and hatred. He examines the roles of not only parents but wider society and their responsibility to not only protect the children of the world but educate them so they can grow up in a better world than we did.

This is a fairly short read but is brimming with information - Kendi provides useful stats and facts, but rather than just running off numbers on a page, he gives context to everything with his own learned experiences and real-life accounts of bias, discrimination and racism. This book isn't geared particularly to a specific group of people - it focuses on the benefits of an antiracist society to everyone and promotes intersectional equality and awareness.

With accessibly written chapters and a familiar yet professional tone - the writing is very easy to follow and no doubt perfect for revisiting again and again. There is a wealth of resources and further materials listed at the end of the book so this is a perfect start to anyone looking to educate themselves or expand their awareness.

How To Raise an Antiracist will make you uncomfortable. It will make you reflect inwards at your own potential bias, your privilege but most importantly - your power to make real, meaningful change.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Comments

REVIEW: This Could Be Us by Clare McGowan

Genre: Fiction | Literary Fiction Release Date: Expected 1st June 2023 Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group | Corsair Kate has done the unthinkable. She'd worked hard to build a perfect life for herself, while ignoring her growing unhappiness. But when her second child was born profoundly disabled, reality hit. Unable to cope, Kate left - disappearing without a trace. She ends up in LA, with a glittering career and a new family of sorts, but the guilt is still suffocating. Husband Andrew was left to pick up the pieces and care for their disabled daughter and angry, confused son. Bereft and broken, he leaned on Olivia, Kate's best friend. She's been by his side ever since, ignoring her own needs to meet his. Years later, Andrew has written a memoir about his daughter learning to communicate against all odds. But when Kate's new producer husband decides he wants to make a film of it, their worlds collide once again. Now, Kate must return to the life she abandoned and reck...

REVIEW: Live, Laugh, Lesbian by Helen Scott

Genre: Non-Fiction | Memoir | LGTBQ+ Release Date: 19th October 2023 Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Part memoir, part guide, part conversation and all queer joy — Live, Laugh, Lesbian is a brilliantly warm and friendly journey into the queer experience, not only from the author but from plenty of other lesbian, queer, bisexual and pansexual contributors who bring a unique viewpoint and voice and also show a beautiful diverse, intersectional scope of the queer spectrum and welcomes in queer people and allies of any kind to come feel the love. The book is very conversational, talking to the reader in a fun, friendly way — at times I rolled my eyes as the use of “famalam” but as a previous patron of Colours and Chicagos I’m not in a position to judge the Essex-isms. It’s full of anecdotes and observations that were witty and relatable as well as talking is through the more difficult side of queerness like dealing with workplace discrimination, religious trauma and coming out to family...

BOOK TOUR STOP x RANDOM THINGS TOURS: Thirty Days of Darkness by Jenny Lund Madsen

" This town has secrets that are best left alone." Author Hannah is a success, on paper at least. She's receiving critical acclaim and praise worldwide and her work is regarded as some of the best. She writes literature, not just books. But the reality is, outside of the literary circles nobody actually reads her work. But when she finally snaps at a book event and publicly criticises the genre fiction books that outsell hers, claiming they're easy and mindless she's challenged to write her own crime fiction novel in just thirty days by an author she loathes. Desperate not to lose to him, her editor arranges for her to spend a month in a quiet, cold village in Iceland hoping that the solitude will spark inspiration. But instead of writing a murder story - she's in one . Just before she arrives, the body of a young man is pulled from the icy waters and her search for ideas soon becomes a search for a killer. And if she's not careful, she might end up the...

On Bee's Bookshelf

Search This Blog