Stamped from the beginning

 

Full title: Stamped from the Beginning: The definitive history of racist ideas in America

Author: Ibram X. Kendi

Genre: Non-Fiction

Original publication date: March 8, 2016

Book description: chronicles the entire story of anti–Black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history. Stamped from the Beginning uses the lives of five major American intellectuals to offer a window into the contentious debates between assimilationists and segregationists and between racists and anti-racists. From Puritan minister Cotton Mather to Thomas Jefferson, from fiery abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison to brilliant scholar W. E. B. Du Bois to legendary anti–prison activist Angela Davis, Kendi shows how and why some of our leading pro-slavery and pro–civil rights thinkers have challenged or helped cement racist ideas in America.

Thoughts:

It is hard to make a review of this book. It is historic research based on racism. We follow so many many years and events that is hard to get your head around it. Even if you are not a US citizen it includes a lot of history and tells us the very base of the ideas of racism and black lives as they became the min slaves in America. 

It is a tremendous and the most frustrating read I have encountered. It tried to cover so many events and years of history and in some it gives you a new perspective of what was going on. It is a truly ambitious project. You do not need to be a history expert to get the gist of it. It all comes down to the same thing, slavery and the blind eye society as a whole turned on it. People went from looking down on it and using lame excuses to prove tho themselves it was a necessary thing, that it was not evil. Initially, the people who handled and traded slaves used religion as an excuse, then they convinced themselves it was all because the people deserved it but with time the excuses were less and less because the society had told themselves one race was better than the rest for such a long time that it was widely believed to be ok simply because. It infuriates you while you read. 

The book can be consumed in Audio, digital and physical. Personally, I was not able to get a physical copy but I might at a later date when it becomes available. This is the type of book where it is necessary to double-check references. The physical book is a golden opportunity as it should include it as it is a history research book.  I personally only heard it from Scribd so that part was not included but I will try to reread this at a later day with more time and actually research the references. 

I found it easier to accept the accuracy of the earlier years in America but some of the more recent years, say last decade it was a bit harder to follow. Mainly because some attitudes I had believed to be more benevolent to the ideals of Black lives and antiracism that on Kendi's retelling are not classified as such. It would require a bit more thought and research to make up my mind about it. I will not be falling for the same trick as before, history is retold from the lens of the person making the piece therefore I will take with caution. He still seems to express his own opinion on the matter but it is still worth examining the attitude and beliefs behind the politician's decisions throughout the USA recent history. 

You can't describe this as an enjoyable read, it is anything but. The theme makes it impossible but it is a necessary thing to know. We know history is not an absolute thing, unfortunately. The reason is simply many of the topics are glossed over when children are being taught the history of their country. Also when living out of USA history and get an education elsewhere in school they do not mention much about it. America in general needs to revise the history plan they teach. Society is hard to change but that is not an excuse, people should look for educating themselves on their own. 

This is a very recommended read. It is not something people will enjoy reading but that is not an excuse.

I am going to leave a very tentative rating, why? Because as a history research book it would require me to do double-checking as well and examine the text. I have not done such thing and can't 100% say it at the moment. But I still feel this is a very important text that everyone should get their hands on and consume it. But the most important thing is to always question and research to make sure what you obtain is true. We need to start questioning what we are presented as true, it is the only way to stop the misinformation, and just because something sounds convenient for the current time society we should not just accept it as 100% true. People need to gather their own information before making up an opinion especially on topics where you can find references for their own information. 

To make the information more accessible it can be consumed in audio format. What's even better it can be found in streaming services. I found the book in Scribd if you have premium it comes with no ads in between. It is full, there are over 390 chapters, that you can listen to, the only downside for me personally is that audiobooks I generally listen to in 2-3 times speed while I get them in Audible or Scribd and that is not an option in Spotify. But a minor detail really.

 That's it for now. I'll see you later, do try to keep in mind and further your education not only in this topic but in everything in current-day society and your own history. 

Stay safe!