Performative activism is not enough.
Let's Educate Ourselves!
Xenolearn is a nonprofit company that creates and curates diverse and pluralist resources for everyone. In August/September, we’ll read “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. We’ll meet twice, once at the beginning of the book, and once at the end of the book. We’ll engage in reflection exercises, ask tough questions, and lean into difficult conversations about race and privilege. Our Book Club is composed of small nine person groups to encourage intimacy and conversation, and to maximize participation. Discussions will be tailored to the needs and regional contexts of the group.
This won’t be a one-stop shop for allyship, but rather, the start of a journey of questioning and listening and support. We may stumble and make some mistakes along the way (myself included) but becoming aware and learning is the first step.
The cost of participation in the Book Club to €/$20 General, €/$10 Students/Interns. *Does not include the cost of the book*
While many people are afraid to talk about race, just as many use talk to hide from what they really fear: action.
How to Be an Antiracist
Antiracism is a transformative concept that reorients and reenergizes the conversation about racism—and, even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. At its core, racism is a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value; its warped logic extends beyond race, from the way we regard people of different ethnicities or skin colors to the way we treat people of different sexes, gender identities, and body types. Racism intersects with class and culture and geography and even changes the way we see and value ourselves. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.
About the Author
IBRAM X. KENDI is one of America’s foremost historians and leading antiracist voices. He is a National Book Award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities and the Founding Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. Kendi is a contributor writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News correspondent. He will become the 2020-2021 Frances B. Cashin Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for the Advanced Study at Harvard University.
His third book, HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST, was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and made several Best Books of 2019 lists. His much anticipated fourth book with Jason Reynolds, STAMPED: RACISM, ANTIRACISM, AND YOU, was also a # 1 on the New York Times Bestseller. His first board book, ANTIRACIST BABY, was recently published and was a #1 Indie Bestseller.
Supported Cause: Facing History and Ourselves
In honour of the upcoming school year, the profits from the August/September Book Club will go towards Facing History and Ourselves. Facing History and Ourselves offers education resources for teachers in the U.S., Canada, UK, and partners in Northern Ireland, South Africa, France Mexico and Columbia. Facing History and Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate.
Xenolearn is a nonprofit business. That means, like a company, we make money. Like a nonprofit, after covering costs and wages, we reinvest all profits into organizations that advocate for inclusion, diversity, pluralism, and representation in media, literature and education.
That means, in the case of a General admission, that €/$6 of the cost covers the organizing of the Book Club, €/$12 (60%) goes towards Facing History and Ourselves. We chose this business model because it’s the best way to sustain our service while giving back to organizations and communities that depend on donations and grants.
How can I participate?
The cost of participation is a €20/$20 donation to Facing History and Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate.
Educating ourselves is a good start, supporting the organizations advocating for the rights and dignity of humans is equally important.