A Mind Opening Book Club

I had an invigorating meet-up on Monday with my first ever Equinix virtual book club. The group’s discussion about Ibram X. Kendi’s How To Be An Anti-Racist was filled with so many provocative insights, all fresh on our minds not just because of the book but the news of another black man’s shooting in Wisconsin over the weekend. We were divided a bit on whether we felt that in this moment in history, things are getting better, because the world’s awareness is raised, or worse, because that awareness makes clear how divided we still are.

I confess that parts of the book were complex and hard for me to unpack. Kendi’s book is an invitation for all of us to live in a state of persistent self-awareness (and probably self-discovery) in an effort to reset and relearn those assumptions and behaviors that exclude or diminish one another. To go beyond being “not racist” to being “anti-racist”. It’s hard work – and it’s honorable and necessary work. Taking stock of the racist policies and community biases that through silence or ignorance, we accept -- forces me to pay attention. It reminds me that I have an active role to play every day in moving our society closer to real equality. 

Ultimately, on the heels of more unsettling news, I was left with hope for our evolving society, in large part resulting from the honest, vulnerable discussion with a great group of colleagues on how this book changes our understanding and our need to act.

Now I get to pass the torch over to you @Milind Bhise – can’t wait to hear what book you’ve picked and to get started reading.

P.s. I'm sharing our virtual book club slides here as an invitation to call to friends and colleagues to join you in reading and discussing this terrific book.