Stamped from the Beginning Lesson Plan

Do you think it helps or hurts Kendi’s argument to criticize famous abolitionists?

In order to answer this question, students should remind themselves what Kendi’s argument is. He is arguing that racist ideas are caused by discriminatory policies. In critiquing abolitionists, Kendi is complicating the traditional narrative around slavery and the Civil War. Part of what Kendi is trying to do is reveal that many ideas and policies that have long been considered benevolent toward Black people are actually rooted in anti-black thinking. Because of this, while it may be hard for people to except Kendi’s critique of abolitionists, it does help his argument.

What...