“Anti-racist” vs “Not racist”

Mar 24, 2022

If you’re studying CRT and DEI, you’ll soon learn that it’s not enough to say “I’m not racist.”

Instead of being “not racist”, you must be “antiracist”, or actively engaged in dismantling systematic racism today through policies that force equitable outcomes. “Antiracism” and “not racist” sound awfully synonymous to the average person, so what gives? What’s the distinction?

According to Ibram X. Kendi, who coined the term “antiracist,” he explains in a Ted Talk titled “The difference between being not racist and antiracist” that “In the most simplest way a not racist is a racist who is in denial and an antiracist is someone who is willing to admit the times in which they’re being racist and who is willing to recognize the inequities and racial problems of our society and who is willing to challenge those racial inequities by challenging policy.” Kendi then goes on to speak about how even slave traders in early America described themselves as “not racist”. Now, I’ve studied history, and I must tell you that I’ve not yet come across such words in a slave owners diary that Kendi attributes to them. I’ll keep looking though.

Lets pause and think about that first part of Kendi’s statement for a moment:…………..

“A not racist is a racist who is in denial”

Now imagine if I made an accusation against you. Perhaps I say to you: “You’re a pedophile!”

I imagine you’d be upset and shocked and defend yourself. Perhaps you’d respond by saying: “I’m NOT a pedophile!”

Using Kendi’s argument, your very DENIAL of being a pedophile in the wake of my accusation actually makes you guilty of being a pedophile. Now insert this same logic with any accusation.

You’re a thief!/I’m not a thief. Charged guilty of theft.

You’re a murderer!/I’m not a murderer. Charged guilty of murder

You’re a racist!/I’m not a racist. Charged guilty of racism.

Is this solid reasoning and logic? If it isn’t, why are we using Kendi’s logic to train our teachers in Grand Haven?

But it doesn’t stop there,

In Ibram X. Kendi’s book How to be Antiracist, the distinction between “antiracist” and “not racist” is of major significance.

Kendi tells us that to be antiracist also means you are anti capitalist, pro feminist, and pro transgender. You must be actively fighting on all these fronts to be an antiracist.

From Ibram X Kendi’s “How to be an Antiracist”

P.159,189,197

“Antiracist policies cannot eliminate class racism without anti capitalism policies. Anti capitalism cannot eliminate racism without anti racism.”

“To be truly antiracist is to be feminist. To be truly feminist is to be antiracist.”

(I’m curious to know what kind of feminism he means here??, like the feminists who chant about “dismantling the patriarchy!” and argue in favor of unrestricted abortion because fetuses are parasites and oppressive to women’s liberty?, no thanks, I’m good…wait.. that means I’m not antiracist?)

“We cannot be antiracist if we are homophobic or transphobic. To be queer antiracist is to understand the privileges of my cisgender, of my masculinity, of my heterosexuality, of their intersections.”

(What about “not” having a phobia of transgenderism, but simply disagreeing with it’s merit based on biology? That means I’m “not” an antiracist?)

I think it’s worth noting that slogans and phrases in Oceana matter. Words aren’t always what they seem. These Newspeak words are carefully crafted to incriminate unsuspecting people. If you’re not in favor of discriminatory policies that force equal outcomes, you’re NOT an antiracist. If you’re not against capitalism, You’re NOT an antiracist. And lastly, if you’re not on the transgender train taking over female sports right now…you’re not an “Antiracist” in Ibram X Kendi’s world. But to the untrained ear, to remark to someone simply that you’re not “antiracist” sounds REALLY bad doesn’t it? That’s by design.

So now you know……You’re probably NOT an antiracist, which by Kendi’s logic makes you an antiracist. How’s that for a catch 22?!

Grand Haven students have learned to be Antiracist in academy class. Teachers have learned to be Antiracist in professional development training. High school students who are part of the Calling All Colors club get extra Antiracist training and the same book as all GHAPS staff - This Book is Antiracist by Tiffany Jewell. The partnership with the Antiracism Task Force at the Momentum Center is lead by GHAPS administrators. Is Grand Haven teaching their staff and students about the moral wrongs inherent in racism? Or are they indoctrinating kids to a specific political stance to effect future policy by taking part in this manipulation of words?

Restore Ottawa

“Anti-racist” vs “Not racist”