by By Terry Allen, for Texas Metro News Columnist- Big Mama Said
As part of our mission to spotlight changemakers shaping the future of Black thought, I had the honor of interviewing National Book Award-winning author and antiracist scholar,Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, on the occasion of his appearance at The Dock Bookshop to discuss his new release,Malcolm Lives. We talked about Malcolm X s legacy, youth development, DEI backlash, and the role of truth in building liberated communities. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, recipient of the City Men Cook Mentor of the Year award, challenges us not to hide behind the comfort of being not racist, but to stand firm and act as antiracists. He reminds us that racism isn t just about personal behavior it s about policy and power.
Terry Allen:Dr. Kendi, in your new bookMalcolm Lives,you reflect on one of our most unapologetic leaders. How do you see Malcolm X s legacy showing up in today s movements and where do we still fall short?
Dr. Kendi:You can t expect to end chattel slavery by doing nothing. The more you do nothing, the more slavery spreads and harms and tortures and kills. And in many ways, that s what s happening right now. If we don t actively seek to be anti-racist, then racism will persist.
Dr. Terry Allen:Your work with youth and families has been game-changing. At CityMentor, we focus on instilling values and building consciousness early. How do you see programs like ours connecting to your antiracism work?
Dr. Kendi:It s not a coincidence that racist ideas have spread across time and across humanity. The reason why they have is because they re simple. Dark is ugly. Light is good. Dark people are bad. Light people are smart. These are very simple ideas that even a two or three or four year old can understand-Arming our children with information is protective helping them to learn about racism and about anti-racism.
Dr.Terry Allen:There s a growing hostility toward DEI. School boards are banning books, and policy leaders are pretending racism is behind us. What do you say to folks who are losing hope?
Dr. Kendi:It is dangerous to tell the truth today I would know. But it is dangerous to not tell the truth.If it was a level playing field, there would not be all these racial disparities from health, to wealth, to education, to incarceration.
Dr.Terry Allen:You ve written for everyone academics, parents, even preschoolers. How do you break down these complex truths so they reach the hearts of each generation?
Dr. Kendi:We have to teach them that there s these cars of racist ideas that are coming that could hit you. When we re crossing the street with our two-year-old, we teach them to look both ways. Similarly, we have to prepare them for what s coming.The moon sees our kids, whoever they are delights when every child falls asleep, including mine.
Dr.Terry Allen:Your body of work covers centuries of Black struggle and resistance. How do you decide whether to write a history, a children s story, or something in between?
Dr. Kendi:No one is inherently racist or anti-racist. It s about what we re doing. When we re expressing that the racial groups are equals, we re being anti-racist. When we re supporting a policy that is leading to a racial disparity, we re being racist. The criticisms often target Black leaders and organizations with a double standard, implying that their authority is routinely questioned or undermined more readily than that of white leaders. we must have a voice on all levels to address this.
Terry Allen:Last one. If Malcolm X were with us today, what would he be saying and what s our charge moving forward as Black men, mentors, and messengers?
Dr. Kendi:You can t talk about American history without talking about slavery The question becomes why isn t there a level playing field? And you can t answer that without talking about the present and the history of this country. Mentoring can be a powerful way to guide individuals, particularly younger people, in navigating the complexities of race, challenging racist ideas, and embracing antiracist actions.
Dr.Terry Allen:Dr. Kendi, on behalf of Taste of the South s, CityMenTor, and the Texas Metro News, thank you. Your voice continues to shape minds and ignite necessary change and we honor you not only with words but by putting your books into the hands of young kings who will carry this legacy forward and on behalf Texas Metro News, Publisher Cheryl Smith, purchased 100 copies of Malcolm Lives donated to Youth in Texas
