This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work

Part 3 looks at ways that readers can take action against racism. Chapter 10 begins with a call to speak up, “to speak the truth. Share it with others” (122). Jewell argues that silence is not a good option and shares moments in her life where she wishes she had spoken up. She returns to the story of her racist school teacher and lists what she wishes she had done differently, including leaving the classroom and speaking to administrators. Her list provides a blueprint for readers to act on if they witness similar acts of racism in their own schools. Jewell also thinks beyond the classroom, about what to do if one witnesses “police officers surrounding two young Black men” (126). She invokes the memory of Black people in America who have been murdered by police officers and encourages readers to come up with “a plan so [they will] know what [they] can do if this does come up in [their] life” (126). 

The activity for this chapter is an in-depth exercise that asks readers to list all the things they could do if they see a Black person being detained by the police. It asks readers to think about the risks associated with each course of action and about how certain people can use their privilege in these situations.