Noted anti-racist author Ibram X. Kendi to speak at Washburn University

Topeka, Kan. – One of the leading voices in the fight against racism will be speaking Monday, September 30 at Washburn University in White Concert Hall. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi will talk about the racist ideas that founded the nation as well as the ways to become an anti-racist.

Kendi – university professor, author and the youngest winner of the National Book Award for nonfiction – will be on campus for a presentation sponsored by the National Park Service’s Brown versus Board of Education Historical Site and Washburn University.

The event is part of the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Brown versus Board of Education decision, according to the site’s program manager, Enimini Ekong. He said this event serves as a continued commitment to the greater Topeka community to engage around issues facing racial equality and reflect upon how it will be responsible for impacting the globe in the 21st century the way it did in 1954.

 And, according to Kendi, there is indeed much work yet to be done.  He has spoken extensively about the idea that racial progress is always followed by new and more sophisticated racist progress. 

What’s more, he notes that Americans – including black people and liberal whites --have deeply held beliefs that they don’t even know are racist and wrong.

Kendi’s presentation “How to be an Anti-Racist” should be enlightening while pointing out the challenges ahead, according to Danielle Dempsey-Swopes, director of diversity and inclusion at Washburn University. 

“We are thrilled to be able to join with the Brown versus Board site and bring this important speaker to Topeka,” said Dempsey-Swopes.  “The Brown v Board decision marked a real milestone in the struggle for equality and made Topeka an icon of the civil rights movement. 

“However, we need to take a step back and realize that there is still a lot of work to be done,” she said. 

The event will start at 6:30 p.m. at Washburn’s White Concert Hall.  To register for a free ticket, go to Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talk-by-dr-ibram-x-kendi-author-of-how-to-be-an-antiracist-tickets-72536413365?aff=ebdshpfprimarybucket 

In addition to his New York Times bestselling books, he is the founding director of The Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University in Washington, DC as well as a professor of history and international relations,  

Kendi has written for numerous journals and publications and is the author of Stamped from the Beginning, The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America along with his new book, How to be an Anti-Racist.