Engaging with Kendi, Wong, and a trustworthy outside source of your own choice, write an original essay of no fewer than 6 full pages (not including the Works Cited page). Some questions you could consider:
How is our culture in the U.S. structured so that white people often do not “see” racism? Why is it structured this way? Kendi claims that “the most threatening racist movement is … the regular American’s drive for a ‘race-neutral’ [state]” (532). What does he mean by this and why does he think this? How might Wong’s analysis of history education, focused on the risks of not teaching students accurately about racial inequality in the United States, respond to Kendi’s statement? What is the difference between history and historiography, and why does Wong support James Loewen’s case for the latter? What are the effects of the current school curriculum on learners who feel marginalized? What must change inside and outside the classroom to achieve greater equality?
There are multiple angles from which you may choose to approach these questions. Perhaps you’re looking to contribute a perspective from the study of education. Or you may be interested in social change, community activism, or political movements. The discussions of language may pique your interest in literature, entertainment, or social media. If business and finance is your jam, what can you notice about the textbook industry? This is where your research can aid you, in bringing your unique lens of focus to this topic.
