Popular YA author Jason Reynolds has created a "remix" the award-winning STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING by author Ibram X. Kendi. Reynolds takes the subject of racism vs antiracism and makes it relatable to teens and anyone else looking to better understand what has gone on regarding race over the past 600 plus years. Readers' eyes will be opened and the truth about issues revealed. I know my thinking is much clearer after reading STAMPED.
Reynolds begins in 1415 with what he explains is "The Story of the World's First Racist." From that he moves on to the Puritans and then the framers of our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Many of the historical facts we have grown up with and come to believe as truth are shattered by Reynolds as he shares the lesser known motivations for how Blacks have been seen and treated through the centuries.
Don't worry, Reynolds reminds readers throughout the book that it isn't a history book, at least not a history book we may remember reading in school. Yes, he says there are names and dates, and even a war or two. His purpose is to connect the past with what is happening today.
Using a vocabulary of terms like racist, assimilationist, and antiracist, Reynolds lays out the effects of these ideas through the years and, maybe more importantly, today. What sometimes seemed like good intentions turned out to be more harmful than helpful in the evolution from slavery to the current day views of Blacks in America. I was able to recognize that my mindset on the issues may at times border more on assimilationist than antiracist. Now that I know this, I will continue to educate myself on being truly antiracist and hopefully spread the word through actions and deeds.
STAMPED is a must read for anyone trying to piece together an understanding of what it takes to be informed about race today.
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