First published 2022
Ibram X. Kendi faces a parenting challenge that extends far beyond typical childcare concerns. When his partner Sadiqa becomes pregnant, Kendi confronts questions he had avoided as both educator and bestselling author. His initial instinct is protective: shield his daughter from racism entirely rather than teach her to combat it. Research and experience shift his perspective. He discovers that antiracist thinking must be cultivated from the earliest stages of development, not as a burden but as essential preparation for navigating a world where racism remains embedded in institutions and social norms. Kendi structures his approach around child development phases, combining academic research with personal stories from his own parenting journey. The book addresses practical questions that arise when children notice racial differences, encounter discriminatory attitudes, or absorb biased messages from media and peers. Kendi argues that raising antiracist children serves a dual purpose: protecting young people from internalized racism while preparing them to build more equitable communities. His framework moves beyond abstract principles to offer concrete strategies for parents, caregivers, and teachers who want to nurture critical thinking about race and justice from infancy through adolescence.
Genres: african-american, non-fiction, 21st-century, parenting, activism, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, personal-journey
288 pages · Hardcover · One World