How to Be an Antiracist Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, The Democrats, Race and the 1994 Federal Crime Bill and our BookBrowse Review of How to Be an Antiracist.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Even for a scholar of antiracism like Ibram X. Kendi, the idea of talking to children about racism can be uncomfortable. How does Kendi come to the realization that discussing racism could actually help preserve his daughter's innocence and joy? When and why did you decide to start your own antiracist parenting or caregiving journey?
2. Kendi says, "Raising our children to be antiracist is like dressing their minds in armor before we send them out into the world." Discuss two of these "pieces" of armor: There's nothing right about me because of the color of my skin; and There's nothing wrong with me because of the color of my skin. Why are these important lessons to impart?
3. Why is colorblind caretaking so dangerous, even though it may seem well-meaning? How would you differentiate antiracist caretaking from color blind caretaking in a conversation with another caregiver? How will you discuss the contradiction between race not existing biologically, but existing societally, with children?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of One World. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.