- Brittany C.
- Friday, February 26, 2021
“Racist ideas cause people to look at an innocent Black face and see a criminal.”
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America has been adapted for teen readers by legendary Jason Reynolds and is today's leading book on racism and antiracism in America for young people. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You gives teens the tools to recognize racist ideas, where they come from and how to stamp them out.
“Racist ideas cause people to look at an innocent Black face and see a criminal." But what perpetuates these racist ideas that continue to exist in society? Reynolds and Kindi delve into the history of racism throughout different time periods in Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. Not only does this book give teens the opportunity to learn more than what history books teach but it empowers them to identify and question the systemic racism that persists.
Reynolds and Kindi examine the complex history of racism from many angles but one of notable interest is the discussion of media's role in racism.
Ever heard of Tarzan of the Apes?
There are many versions (anyone remember the animated movie?) but Tarzan of the Apes was originally written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912. Did you know Tarzan means 'white skin'? The story follows Tarzan who is raised by apes and saves Jane, a white woman, from being attacked by Africans. Not the first time and certainly not the last, a piece of fiction was written to portray a white hero winning against 'savage' Africans. What did this do? It reinforced the belief that black people were not to be trusted...they were savages after all.
Maybe you've seen Planet of the Apes?
Released in 1968, white astronauts land on a planet after a two-thousand-year journey and are enslaved by apes. The big twist? They're actually on Earth. Maybe this doesn't seem like a big deal but Planet of the Apes was released in a pivotal moment for the black community. The Black Power movement had started, the Black Panther Party was growing, marches were happening, and the civil rights movement was gaining a voice. Planet of the Apes only perpetuated the fear that black people were the enemy and should be defeated.
Okay, but that was a long time ago. This doesn't happen anymore, right?
Wrong. These are just a few examples of media as a tool for racism. This is has been happening for a very long time and while media may not be as evidently racist now, racism exists on a much deeper, unconscious level. Books, music, movies, and celebrities can all contribute to implicit racial bias.
Open discussions with friends and family can help us identify and eliminate racial biases we all have (that's right, all of us). So, here are some questions to get the conversation started:
- What are some examples of current movies, tv shows, or music that promote racist ideas?
- On the flip side, what are some examples of media that celebrate black culture?
If you are inspired to learn more or make a difference, take part in these important conversations centering race, equity and inclusion. Find more resources about race, equity and inclusion, here.