On this edition of Your Call, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi discusses his book, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. He argues that racism isn’t fading away as progress forges ahead – instead, racist ideas are evolving.
Young black males were 21 times more likely to be killed by police than their white counterparts between 2010 and 2012. The median wealth of white households is 13 times the median wealth of black households. Black people are five times as likely to be incarcerated as whites. In order to seriously tackle these issues, Kendi says we must first understand how racist ideas were developed, disseminated, and enshrined in American society.
Guest:
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, professor of history and international relations and the founding director of the Anti-Racist Research and Policy Center at American University, and author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Web Resources:
New York Times: The Heartbeat of Racism Is Denial
The Guardian: Stamped from the Beginning review – a timely history of racist ideas in America
Rochester City Newspaper: Author Ibram X. Kendi traces America’s history of racist ideas and policies
