Ibram X. Kendi believes Americans are misled if they buy into the idea that racism is caused by hate and ignorance.
Instead Kendi has found that racism stems from discriminatory policies and that U.S. citizens are not aware these policies are discriminatory to begin with. His goal is to eliminate policies that render African Americans inferior, because any policy that yields racial inequity also yields racists.
A prominent figure in the U.S. antiracist movement, Kendi will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington State University as part of the annual Martin Luther King program.
Kendis book Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. won the 2016 National Book Award for Nonfiction. At 34, he was the youngest person ever to receive the award. He is a professor of history and international relations and founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. His third book, How to be an Anti-Racist is scheduled for publication this summer.
IF YOU GO
WHO: Ibram X. Kendi, keynote speaker for the annual Martin Luther King program
WHEN: 7 to 9 Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019
WHERE: CUB Sr. Ballroom, Washington State University, Pullman
COST: Free
OF NOTE: As part of the annual program, the 2019 Interfaith Service will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 at Sacred Heart Church, 440 N.E. Ash St., Pullman. The event will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King with the theme Who is My Neighbor? The service will be followed by a free, catered meal. Attendees are asked to bring a dessert to share.