The definitions that Ibram X. Kendi gives to racist and antiracist are as follow
“Racist: One who is supporting a racist policy through their actions or inaction or expressing a racist idea.
Antiracist: One who is supporting an antiracist policy through their actions or expressing an antiracist idea.”
An important thing that a significant number of people don’t know is that there is no such thing as someone who is not a racist. As Kendi said “Racist: One who is supporting a racist policy through their actions or inactions.” The idea of someone calling themselves not a racist implies inaction. There are racists and antiracists. A large number of people who think they are not a racist are actually antiracist. Antiracists have an ideology that is against racism and in support creating an equality between all races and ethnicities. It is important that an antiracist has a willingness to express their idea to some and help mitigate or recognize racism where they see it. Antiracism is not a passive mindset, with this there is no such thing as neutral ground so people must fight to help support others who are hurt by an unfair system. There are larger places like the justice system which suffers from unconscious bias that negatively affects predominately non-white individuals. Antiracists would be willing to encourage change of this system so that there is no difference of treatment because of race or ethnicity. A very simple step to being an antiracist is noticing when people around you say or do something racist and pointing it out in an effort to stop it from continuing. Change is something that has to be fought for, it cannot be achieved with no effort. Ultimately, Kendi argues that to be an antiracist, we must be willing to take action to fight against racism in every instance. There is not room in this battle for neutrality, Kendi says.