Ibram X. Kendi on “How to Be an Antiracist” | Amanpour and Company

Summary

In this interview, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi discusses the importance of being actively anti-racist rather than passively non-racist. He argues that racism is not just about ignorance but can be driven by political self-interest. Kendi, who has battled cancer, draws parallels between fighting racism and fighting cancer, emphasizing the need for both local and systemic treatments to address societal inequities. He advocates for acknowledging the problem, removing racist policies, and implementing anti-racist policies to prevent the reoccurrence of racial inequity.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The guest, Abram X. Kendi, discusses the importance of being actively anti-racist rather than passively non-racist, emphasizing that there's no neutral ground in the fight against racism.
• 📊 Kendi highlights the political context of the U.S. elections, noting that moderate Democratic nominees might not be as effective against Trump as progressive candidates, due to the appeal of change agents in recent elections.
• 👥 He identifies two types of swing voters: those who swing from Republican to Democrat and those who swing between voting Democrat and not voting at all, with the latter group being more likely to support progressive policies.
• 📚 Kendi's book, 'How to Be an Anti-Racist', argues that racism is not just about ignorant beliefs but can also stem from political self-interest and the need to justify discriminatory policies.
• 🚫 He challenges the common misconception that racism comes from ignorance, suggesting that it can be a deliberate tool used to maintain power and suppress certain groups.
• 🌟 The interviewee points out the historical and ongoing use of racist ideas to justify voter suppression tactics, particularly targeting people of color.
• 💡 Kendi discusses the concept of reverse racism and how it's been used to create a divisive narrative, emphasizing the need to define policies as racist based on their outcomes, not just intentions.
• 🌱 He shares a personal story from the 1990s when he internalized negative stereotypes about black youth, illustrating how societal messages can shape individual beliefs.
• ⚖️ The conversation touches on the parallels between fighting cancer and fighting racism, suggesting that both require acknowledging the problem, targeted treatment, and systemic changes to prevent recurrence.
• 💪 Kendi's personal battle with cancer influenced his writing, giving him a sense of urgency to complete his book and a deeper understanding of the need for proactive measures against systemic issues like racism.

Q & A

What is the main argument of Ibram X. Kendi regarding racism?

Ibram X. Kendi argues that not being racist is not enough; one must actively be anti-racist. He emphasizes that there is no neutrality in the struggle against racism and that one either endorses racial hierarchy or racial equality.

Why does Kendi believe a moderate Democratic nominee might ensure Trump's re-election?

Kendi suggests that a moderate Democratic nominee might not appeal to certain swing voters who are more likely to be attracted to a progressive candidate. He points out that Trump was successful in winning over some white working-class voters who desired more liberal policies than Obama, suggesting that a progressive candidate could win over these voters and potentially some of the white swing voters as well.

How does Kendi differentiate between a racist and an anti-racist?

Kendi differentiates by stating that a racist endorses the idea of racial hierarchy or believes problems are rooted in racial groups, while an anti-racist supports racial equality or locates the roots of problems in power and policies. He asserts that one either allows racial inequities to persist or confronts them.

What commonality does Kendi find between Trump's and Obama's candidacies?

Kendi notes that both Trump and Obama presented themselves as change agents, not necessarily as total outsiders, but as figures who could bring about transformation. This branding as agents of change was a significant factor in their electoral success.

How does Kendi suggest that racism is not just a result of ignorance?

Kendi points out that racism can be driven by political self-interest, such as the Republican Party's support for voter suppression policies. These policies are justified by racist ideas, which are then consumed by the public, leading to a belief in the validity of these racist justifications.

What does Kendi propose as a method to combat racism?

Kendi suggests that combating racism involves acknowledging its existence, similar to diagnosing an illness. He advocates for the surgical removal of racist policies, followed by systemic treatments like anti-racist policies to prevent reoccurrence, and continuous vigilance to ensure equity and justice.

How does Kendi's personal battle with cancer influence his views on fighting racism?

Kendi's experience with cancer has given him clarity on the fight against both cancer and racism. He compares the process of acknowledging a cancer diagnosis to recognizing the presence of racism, and the treatments used for cancer to the strategies needed to combat systemic racism.

What was Kendi's perspective on black youth during the 1990s?

In the 1990s, Kendi internalized negative stereotypes about black youth, believing that there was something wrong with the group as a whole. He later recognized this as a mistake, understanding that the problems faced by black youth were structural and not inherent to the group.

How does Kendi define a policy as racist?

Kendi defines a policy as racist based on its outcome. If a policy leads to inequity and injustice, he considers it racist, regardless of whether it contains racial language or the intent of the policymaker.

What does Kendi suggest is the role of the individual in being anti-racist?

Kendi suggests that individuals should actively confront racial inequities and support policies that lead to equity and justice. He emphasizes that being anti-racist is an ongoing process that requires continuous action and self-reflection.