If there's any art that seems to truly speaks to me right now it's the work of Corita Kent (1918-1986) and her series, a set of "heroes and sheroes" that has just been created online from the Corita Art Center based in Los Angeles, California.

Corita Kent was an artist, educator and advocate for social justice who initially became a nun entering the religious order of Immaculate Heart of Mary, then eventually teaching at the college's art department. Throughout the 60s, her work became more political, exposing her audience to consider issues at the time including racism, poverty and injustice. 

The more we learn about Antiracism, and that it's more about a journey than a destination, (with consistent work and progress), I was excited to hear about Ibram X. Kendi's newest project, an official workbook and companion to his International Bestseller, How to Be An Antiracist. The workbook, Be Antiracist is a journal for awareness, reflection, and action.

With all of the latest protests around racial justice and the importance of the BIPOC and Black Lives Matter movement, it's welcoming to be guided by the teachings and conversation of Ibram X. Kendi. At the heart of it, Kendi points us toward new ways of thinking about ourselves and our society.

Be Antiracist is the essential roadmap for this journey, with over 150 original prompts, questions, and quotes from the bestselling book that will help you consider your own personal history with race and new ways of thinking about ourselves and our society. Whether or not you've read How to Be an Antiracist, Be Antiracist stands alone, with a personal letter from Kendi welcoming you to your personal racial journey and giving context to his illuminating lessons on racism and antiracism. Kendi writes:

“The heartbeat of antiracism is confession. It is self-reflection…We must continuously reflect on ourselves so we can reflect on our society. We must continuously strive to be antiracist so we can build an antiracist society.” 

Guided with specific questions like, "Who or what scares you the most when you think about race?" and "How can we go about disconnecting Blackness from criminality?" and "What constitutes an American to you?” Be Antiracist is the perfect way to begin your racial journey and build the crucial habit of antiracism as a daily practice. Kendi's multipronged approach to self-reflection will challenge and inspire you to make change in yourself and your community, and contribute to an antiracist future.

Be Antiracist is the perfect way to begin your racial journey and build the crucial habit of antiracism as a daily practice. Kendi's multi-pronged approach to self-reflection will challenge and inspire you to make change in yourself and your community, and contribute to an antiracist future. The workbook which comes out this fall (October) is available for preorder and is going to be a definite welcome in our home! 

About the Author 

IBRAM X. KENDI is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, a professor of history, and the founding director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. He is a columnist at The Atlantic and a correspondent with CBS News. He is the author of five books including Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction; 

How to Be an Antiracist; Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, co-authored with Jason Reynolds; and Antiracist Baby, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky. 

Be Antiracist A Journal for Awareness, Reflection, and Action By Ibram X. Kendi $15.99 • One World paperback • 192 pages • 6 x 8 inches Self-Help – Journaling • ISBN 9780593233009 On sale October 6, 2020