Antiracism as Daily Practice

February 1, 2024

Writer and educator Harvey wrote the best-selling book Raising White Kids and here offers a step-by-step guide for white Americans to combat racism in their communities, emphasizing how vital it is to choose behaviors that foster racial justice, engage with others, and make antiracism a daily commitment. Prepub Alert.

Copyright 2023 Library Journal

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2024
A white academic and activist encourages her white peers to practice antiracism. Harvey, author of Raising White Kids and Dear White Christians, began practicing antiracism in 1994 as a student at Union Theological Seminary, "the heartbeat of liberation-committed, progressive Christianity." The author claims that her initial attempts at solidarity with people of color were messy and, at times, unintentionally harmful. Drawing on these mistakes and others, she crafts an emotional and practical framework for white people like herself to take the risks necessary to truly serve communities of color. To do so, she makes distinctions between white fragility and authentic emotion, including grief; encourages white people to "embody" their antiracism by "turning...beliefs into behavior"; and outlines the emotional, economic, and familial costs of ignoring antiracist work and allowing the status quo to continue without challenge. Throughout, she emphasizes that white antiracist work breaks generational cycles by creating the ancestors white children need to build a more loving future. "We didn't have good ancestors," she writes. "We didn't get what we needed. And that's why this is so hard." Harvey provides a litany of practical ways to address these difficulties, including building communities with fellow white antiracists, cultivating intellectual flexibility, and identifying and making use of our personal spheres of influence. The author's vulnerability and passion combine to create a narratorial voice that is nurturing and inspiring. At times, the author's sympathy for white discomfort is poorly calibrated: For example, she discusses the "real costs" of antiracist white people risking family connections without adequately acknowledging the enslavement, settler colonial genocide, and immigration raids that tear marginalized communities apart in much more violent ways. Overall, though, the book is an educational and practical read for white audiences. A thoughtful and comprehensive guide for white people truly seeking to practice antiracism.

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July 12, 2024

Harvey (VP, academic affairs, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; Raising White Kids) argues that systemic racism infused throughout American institutions needs to be dismantled by white people, not just by calling it out and protesting but also through transformational changes in their everyday lives. Her thesis shows the importance of recognizing the role race plays for people of color their entire lives and how they're impacted by white socialization. She relays her own experiences as a white woman, including mistakes she made and the lessons she learned, which led her to assemble a guide to being an ally. It took years, she conveys, to decenter herself and shed what she describes as the armor of racial entitlement. Her book's holistic approach to antiracism includes refocusing volunteer, shopping, and donor habits to Black organizations and businesses and supporting Black political candidates who advocate for their communities. Harvey doesn't just prescribe actions; she also urges readers to take inventory of their own feelings about race and ancestry and to reflect on the history of racism in the United States. VERDICT A worthy addition to the canon of antiracism literature. This titles comes with a necessary focus on the importance of self-reflection, self-assessment, and action.--Bart Everts

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.