The American Anti-racist: A Teen Action Guide for Uprooting Racism and Planting Justice | Step-by-Step Skills to Recognize Racism in Schools and Communities & Dismantle Oppression Through Activism

By Aisha Rebirth

The American Antiracist: A Teen Action Guide for Uprooting Racism and Planting Justice

Step-by-Step Skills to Recognize Racism in Schools and Communities - and Dismantle Oppression Through Youth Activism

As a biracial author and anti-racist educator Aisha Rebirth, I equip teens nationwide with tools to interrupt interpersonal and systemic racism - whether confronting biased policies in education or police brutality targeting communities of color.

This first-of-its-kind guide profiles diverse young changemakers organizing movements historically while providing a blueprint for today's youth to carry the torch. Through inspiring stories, tangible skills-building activities, self-reflection questions, and step-by-step organizing tactics, I light the path for teens to rise as leaders dismantling racism and planting equity in its place.

If you're a young person feeling outrage and hopelessness over ongoing injustice against communities of color, this book offers ways to channel that energy into courageous activism. Gain insight from teen leaders like Claudette Colvin, the Little Rock Nine, Black Panther youth organizers, Black Lives Matter founders, and more. Their wisdom and victories showcase the power youth hold to pressure institutions through collective action until justice reigns.

The American Antiracist won't just open your eyes to subtle biases and harms embedded in schools, policies, pop culture and beyond. It equips you to call out interpersonal racism while mobilizing systemic reform campaigns targeting unfair dress codes, Eurocentric lessons, discriminatory discipline policies and more.

 

If you're ready to join the frontlines of change as the next generation of freedom fighters, let's get to work uprooting oppression as a united force!

• Language: English
• Publisher: salah eddine menaa
• Release date: Mar 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224472307

Book preview

THE AMERICAN ANTIRACIST

A Teen Action Guide for Uprooting

Racism and Planting Justice

Step-by-Step Skills to Recognize Racism in Schools and Communities - and Dismantle Oppression Through Youth Activism

Aisha Rebirth

DEDICATION

Courage is the power that transforms the world.

This book is dedicated to generations of courageous youth leaders on the frontlines fighting for justice - from the Little Rock Nine bravely integrating schools to Freedom Riders sacrificing their lives for civil rights. Your spirit lives on and calls the next generation to carry the torch. May we honor your legacy through action.

Copyright © 2024 by Aisha Rebirth

Published by Aisha Rebirth

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of creative nonfiction that recounts true stories and real experiences. Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Title: The American antiracist : a teen action guide for uprooting racism and planting justice / by Aisha Rebirth.

Contents

DEDICATION

Contents

Introduction

Section 1: What is Racism?

Defining Racism and Key Concepts

Forms of Racism: Systemic, Institutional, Interpersonal

Common Denial Arguments and Myths

Current Statistics and Realities

Generational Impacts of Racist Policies

Section 2: Recognizing Racism

In Schools - Biases, Discrimination, Exclusion

In Communities: Profiling, Hate Crimes, Intolerance

In Sports: Access, Toxic Culture, Damaging Stereotypes

In Pop Culture and Media: Harmful Representations, Narratives, Norms

Self-Assessment of Implicit Biases and Privilege

Section 3: Youth Activism Against Racism

Profile on Teen Leaders

Timelines on Key Youth-Led Movements: Successes and Impacts

Section 4: Skills to Uproot Racism

5-Step Blueprint to Confront Racism in Self: Unconscious Bias & Microaggressions

Challenging Racism in Peers: Call-Ins, Education, Resources

Dismantling Racism in Schools Step-by-Step

Uprooting Racism in Communities: Systemic Change Tactics

Applying Skills to Scenarios Across Settings

Section 5: Seeding Justice

Envisioning an Equitable Society: 5 Guiding Principles

Individual Action Plan: Tangible Next Steps

Collective Action Blueprint: How We Rise

Additional Resources for the Journey

Conclusion

Introduction

I'll never forget the first time I was called the N-word. It was my freshman year of high school and I was running to catch the bus home after play rehearsal. As I rushed past a group of boys I vaguely recognized from my classes, one of them stuck out his foot and sent me sprawling to the cold concrete sidewalk. My books and papers went flying. As the boys howled with laughter, their ringleader sneered down at me and said, Watch where you're going, stupid N-word.

In an instant, everything changed. The air was knocked from my lungs - and not just from the fall. I felt the eyes of strangers on me, questioning if I deserved such cruelty. My cheeks burned with anger, shame, and confusion. I wanted to yell that my Black father - a proud man who taught me to revere my biracial heritage - did not raise his daughter to be called slurs. But the words dried up in my throat.

So I gathered my belongings in silence, holding back angry tears until I got home. But the word clung to me even in the safety of my bedroom. It seeped into the marrow of my bones, changing how I saw myself and how I knew the world saw me. I was 14 years old.

From that day onward, racism became real in a way I could no longer ignore. The word N-word was carved into my school desk the next week. A teacher assumed I needed remedial help without asking because of the color of my skin. When I spoke about racism in class, I was told everyone struggles or even openly mocked by white peers.

My passion for theater and dreams of starring as Juliet faded. I walked the halls wary of judgment, pulling my spiraling curls into tight buns, wearing bland clothes that wouldn't draw attention. I hid myself, believing that was the only way to shield against racism.

But the final straw came junior year when a group of white girls at a party asked to touch my hair because it was so wild. When I refused, they called me rude, as if my body was public property. As they strode off indignantly, I heard one hiss stuck-up N-word under her breath. My hands trembled, I saw red...and I ran. I hid in the bathroom, staring at my reflection, wondering how people could deny this racism when I felt it cutting me each day.

In that moment, I knew - I would no longer be silent when racism reared its head. I refused to minimize my voice and identity to comfort white fragility. Instead, I would expose racism wherever it lingered - in policy, institutions, language, assumptions - until equity reigned. I would use my words and experience to empower other youth facing similar battles with racial injustice.

I marched out, found those girls, and unapologetically called them out on weaponizing such a disgusting, dehumanizing slur. And I did not stop using my voice from that day onward. Even when it