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Anti-Racism: Introduction

More Than Words

Word cloud -- words related to antiracism and diversity

Ibram X. Kendi: The Difference Between Being "Not Racist" and Antiracist, May 2020

From the Shelves

If Black people make up 13.2 percent of the US population, then Black people should make up somewhere close to 13 percent of the Americans killed by the police, somewhere close to 13 percent of the Americans sitting in prisons, somewhere close to owning 13 percent of US wealth. But today, the United States remains nowhere close to racial parity. African Americans own 2.7 percent of the nation’s wealth, and make up 40 percent of the incarcerated population. These are racial disparities, and racial disparities are older than the life of the United States. ―Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America

About This Guide

Race, race matters, race relations, and all things related to race are not easy conversations to have even with people from the same marginalized groups. As a Black woman librarian, I took care to create this guide in a way that showcases our library resources as well as other resources widely available online that address the wide variety of topics that are presented here. I poured over other guides related to anti-racism. I felt an overwhelming need and responsibility to show how extensively racism permeates the lives of Black people and other racially marginalized groups. 

It is my hope that visitors to this guide will peruse the items found here and take time to read, watch a video, listen to a podcast, and evolve. I hope that you see Black people differently and better understand who we are.  I urge you to grow in your understanding of history and the impact of racial discrimination on racially marginalized groups throughout the world.