Ibram X Kendi tells Stephen Colbert kids should be taught about racism 'even before they understand' its meaning
America's leading scholar on anti-racism, author Ibram X Kendi, spoke on the difference between "not racist" and anti-racism, the history of racism, and how hope stems from believing change is possible on the Thursday, June 25 episode of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert'. Although a short interview, Kendi, the author of 'How To Be An Antiracist' and 'Antiracist Baby' made interesting points that pertain to what the nation seems to be fighting off right now -- systemic racism.
Colbert asked his guest what difference between "not racist" and anti-racist, to which Kendi's reply emphasized the aspect of denial and action. Kendi explained that when people are called out for something they've done that could be deemed racist, their usual defense is "I'm not racist," whereas people that are striving to be anti-racist are "willing to admit the times in which they express racist ideas or support racist policies." "Anti-racist implies action," said Kendi. "When someone explains that we have a problem, are we going to deny or admit it and began the process of healing? To be anti-racist, you have to actually do something."
Kendi explained the idea of anti-racism as such: "Someone who is striving to be anti-racist is actually willing to admit the times in which they expressed racist ideas. They are willing to admit the times in which they supported racist policies because they are in the process of changing." Is it possible to be both at the same time? While Kendi didn't give an explicit yes or no answer, he did say that while people believed that "all men are created equal" -- a seemingly anti-racist statement -- they did then also proceed to believe that black people or Native people were inferior on earth. "Racism is a modern phenomenon, that largely comes out of the slave trade and colonialism. The core of racism is self-interest which has led to racist policies," said the author.
Kendi also believes that the core and cradle of racism is self-interest. You can watch the clip here. "White Americans are constantly thinking about what they can lose as opposed to what they would gain," he said referring to the possible radical "renovation" of America. "They are too quick to compare themselves to people of color as opposed to comparing themselves to what people in other western democracies have," said Kendi. The professor also reiterated a story of how a change of mindset is possible as he spoke of David Duke's godson and Don Black's son, Derek Black, who was groomed to lead the white nationalist movement only to have his ideas altered when they were challenged by his friends while in college. Revealing that Derek did read one of his books, Kendi said, "he's now striving to be anti-racist."
The author was also asked about how he felt about people insisting that the name of his high school Stonewall Jackson, named after Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, should now be renamed to his name. "Obviously I'm happy they are changing the name," said Kendi who further explained that one of the people pushing for the re-naming, in general, was the great-great-grandson of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. "He's showing us that we are not bound by our ancestors. We can create a different type of country that can respect and value the lives of Black people and people of color."
Colbert, shifting the course of the interview to one of Kendi's books 'Antiracist Baby', asked the professor why he wrote a book for babies. Expressing that he has a young daughter himself, Kendi said, "We should teach them [about racism] even before they can fully understand what it means just like we teach them about kindness and love because we value that." He explained that those "sophisticated concepts" need to be taught to kids because at the age of six months they are able to see race and at the age of 2 they are able to believe in racist ideas. Interestingly enough, both Kendi and his wife, an ER doctor, are fighting for two of the main prospects that have been gaining traction in the US -- racism and the COVID-19 pandemic. Colbert asked the professor what gives the couple hope while they are both part of the present "vital struggles." "You have to believe change is possible in order to bring it about. When I diagnose America with say stage 4 metastatic racism I still believe that America can fight against the odds and heal itself," replied Kendi.
'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' airs weekdays on CBS.
