“A racist idea is any idea that suggests something is wrong or right, superior or inferior, better or worse about a racial group. An antiracist idea is any idea that suggests that racial groups are equals.” 

The Introduction by Ibram X. Kendi provides a simple functional definition of racism and antiracism. These concepts and the ways in which they have been implemented throughout history are complex and multifaceted, but this very simple definition is a useful analytical tool that breaks large issues down into workable parts. A young reader can take away a clear idea of what constitutes racism and antiracism before diving into the many historical examples that span centuries. These definitions would work well in classrooms and social learning spaces.

“Segregationists are haters. Like real haters. People who hate you for not being like them. Assimilationists are people who like you, but only with quotation marks. Like… ‘like’ you. Meaning, they ‘like’ you because you’re like them. And then there are antiracists. They love you because you’re like you.”

These key terms repeat throughout the entire book. They further break down the concepts of racism and antiracism, but still in manageable and functional segments. Segregation represents the most overt racist ideology that leads to violence. Assimilationism, often espoused by Black historical actors in the book, aspires to reach racial equality but only according to anti-Black ideals. Under this philosophy, Black people need to become white in order to please assimilationists. Antiracists do not believe in racial hierarchies at all. Reynolds reminds the reader that these are not perfectly fixed and all-encompassing categories. A person might drift between the three identities or morph from one into another over time.