4 stars
A great resource for those starting on their anti-racist journey. Though it’s targeted toward teens, it can be beneficial for adults as well.
Jewell goes through the basic progression of 1) recognizing racism, one’s own identity (both socially constructed and the traits beyond that get to the heart of the individual), and one’s place within a racist system, 2) learning a bit about racist foundations in history, 3) taking action, and 4) working with others to combat racism.
One aspect unique to this book that I found especially powerful was the activities and reflections at the end of each chapter. Jewell presents activities, often sharing her own answers, such as writing your own personal history, assessing your various identities, listing your privileges, taking notice of daily microaggressions, and making plans for how to react to different situations. They work well to guide the reader and help connect the lessons to the reader’s daily life.
Also, Durand’s artwork is just great. I loved it. It adds color, pattern, and movement to the book, which is especially helpful during some of the heavier sections. Some of my favorites were the portraits of historical figures in her art style. It took them out of dusty, old history books and brought their stories to life. The illustrations help add to this book’s appeal to a younger audience.
Overall, this is a great starting point. It can help readers shift their mindsets and recognize how they can move forward with anti-racism. I emphasize that this is a starting place. It is not meant to be an all-encompassing resource. Continue to read about history, current events, and strategies for fighting racism both structurally and in everyday life. Continue to expose yourself to anti-racist materials, have hard conversations, and keep growing. It is a lifelong journey and this is a great first step.