How to be an antiracist
A reflection on Ibram X. Kendi’s book
Dear reader, it’s very sad when we realize that we can be racist, especially black women from peripheral zones in the Global South.
Yeah, that’s me, but how is that possible?
I was born in Brasilândia, one of the biggest marginalized areas located in São Paulo’s north zone. I grew up in a lovely middle-class family, who gave me access to education, but did not provide me with knowledge about race, gender, and class.
So, my antiracist journey started a little bit late, in the beginning of my twenties. It was painful to understand that I reproduced racism and meritocracy many times in my life, but thank God, I woke up and changed my thoughts and actions.
Since my awakening, I have been deeply committed to developing an anti racist behavior and one of my mentors encouraged me to read Ibram X. Kendi’s book, How to be an Antiracist. The book is strong and intense and made me dive into a complex reflection about who I am and who I would like to be.
I wrote down my principal learnings to share with you. Are you ready? =)
Being antiracist is a journey, not a destination.
This sentence is the most perfect truth, and I am bold enough to state that this journey will continue throughout the rest of our lives. We need to strive to be antiracist each day, walk on this path to achieve a collective positive result.
If you care for humanity, you must care for black people. Our society learned how to be racist. We also learn how to pretend to not be racist. Now, it is our time to learn how to be an antiracist.
So, let’s start from the beginning. Do you know the definition of racist and antiracist?
- RACIST: One who is expressing an idea of racial hierarchy, or through actions or inaction in supporting a policy that leads to racial inequity or injustice.
- ANTIRACIST: One who is expressing an idea of racial equality, or is actively supporting a policy that leads to racial equity or justice.
“If racial equity is the start, then racial justice is the end.” (Ibram x. Kendi)
In a world built on colonization, slavery, and exploitation, racial inequity surrounded us, contaminating both the visible laws and our private thoughts. However, now the most important question for each of us must be: what can we do together to change this situation?
Being non racist is not enough, we need to be an antiracist
First of all, we need to change our conception about black people. We are living the legacy of racist power, presenting the Black body to the world as a beast, violently dangerous, the dark embodiment of evil. Like every other racist idea, the powerless defense underestimates Black people and overestimates White people, who are seen as nice, safe and naturally pretty. According to the author,
“Tens of thousands of Black people being trashed as natural or nurtured beasts, devils, animals, rapists, slaves, criminals, kids, predators, brutes, idiots, prostitutes, cheats, and dependents. More than five hundred years of toxic ideas on the Black body.” (Ibram X. Kendi)
This is horrible, I know. It is like brainwashing that affects the early generations! In the American context, there is a famous Black children’s rhyme that says: “If you’re white, you’re right / If you’re yellow, you’re mellow / If you’re brown, stick around / If you’re black, get back.” Dear reader, can you imagine the negative impact that this simple jingle has caused in children’s minds? White kids have grown supported by white supremacy, which makes them develop a strong self-esteem. In contrast, black kids have been learning, since their childhood, that their bodies are not intelligent, beautiful, and welcoming.
Being an antiracist needs effective change through public policies.
To change this situation it’s crucial to analyze racism with a holistic and systematic perspective. If we really want to break these chains, it is necessary to recognize the intersectionality between ethnic, bodily, cultural, class, and gender ideas and promote changes in individual behavior, companies, and public policies.
For a long time, a Black person was seen as representing the whole of the group. It’s a heavy load to take alone! As a young black woman, I want to feel free to move in my imperfections, make mistakes and learn with them. After all, I only represent myself. While ideas of meritocracy or stupidity are analyzed in an individual context, they will become shallow and empty. In fact, the problem of race has always been at its core the problem of power, not the problem of immorality or ignorance.
Dear reader, I hope that this small article could speak to your soul, as it spoke to mine. I would love to hear your reflections about Kendi’s ideas! Please, share in the comments your thoughts about the book =).
Climate activist, UN Global Compact Young Advisor, and founder of the Instituto Perifa Sustentável. Amanda Costa holds a degree in International Relations and serves as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador (IVLP — International Valuable Leadership Program) and Youth Consultant for the British Council (Climate Skills and #90YouthVoices — UK). Recognized as a Forbes #Under30, she is a TEDx Speaker, LinkedIn Top Voices, and LinkedIn Creator. Amanda has participated in six official United Nations conferences on climate change, including COP 23 — Bonn (Germany), COP 24 — Katowice (Poland), COP 26 — Glasgow (UK), COP 27 — Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt), COP 28 — Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and COP 29 — Baku (Azerbaijan). In 2024, Amanda was a panelist at the BRICS Green Cities Forum in Moscow, Russia.
