This Book Is Anti-Racist

    This Book Is Anti-Racist by Jewell and Durand was a quick read but very eye opening. It made me feel hurt as if I was still a preteen trying to find myself again. As a young woman with a mixed-race background, I've always struggled with the label's society gives us, I cannot just be labeled one thing. For instance, it's hard to label me as a "white" or "black" girl. This was a label I felt was constantly thrown at me and I never had an answer. My complexion is very light, but my curls and distinct facial features can give away that I am clearly mixed. I struggled a lot trying to find out which category best suited me. Until I went to a Girl Empowerment group growing up where it was clearly explained to me that I am Kenyata, there is no label of that sort that can define me. I am Filipina, Irish, African American, and Native American (Cherokee). I am so much more and give a list of characteristics to help identify me. All of those feelings came flowing back in as I continued to read because the story explains the difference of ' the dominant culture' and the 'subordinate culture' The dominant culture being what's normal and the subordinate being everything that makes you unique, and you who are. That ties right into the identity map assignment and why it's actually so important.

    For my connection I inserted a TikTok of a user explaining what Zendaya a black celebrity was going through as she discussed colorism in the entertainment business. Though every term she used I didn't agree with her overall point was the struggles of being lighter complexion in the black community and the criticism you get from each side when that shouldn't matter. Zendaya is of lighter complexion like me and is clearly mixed race, so I believe this was great representation of it happening in the entertainment industry, as well as young girls every day. I also feel in order to help put an end to colorism we all must be anti-racist. 

TikTok