Exploring the Power of Comics: Stamped from the Beginning
Comics are a powerful form of storytelling, allowing us to explore complex histories and ideas. Stamped from the Beginning is a must-see graphic novel by Joel Christian Gill that explores the history of racism. Learn more about this incredible work!
Ibram X. Kendi
Partner • #GirlDad • Scholar @BU_Tweets • Dir @AntiracismCtr • @NationalBook Award Winner • #1 NYT Bestselling Author • MacArthur Fellow • Surviving Cancer 🐍
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Six years ago I became enamored by the power of comics. To clarify the complexity of history. Keeping us thinking and laughing and learning. Like our graphic history of racist ideas, Stamped from the Beginning, which I'm proud to announce is out today. 1/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/7h2w26gwPk
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
There is something special about comics. This artistic form takes people places, allows people to overcome their fear and go on a journey of history that they know or suspect they must see. And this graphic novel with Joel Christian Gill is a must-see. 2/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/KcU1gcPoN9
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
Because so much of how we see this society is shaped by anti-Black racist ideas. 3/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/NvZZjpcIJr
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
People of all races look out at their society of persisting racial inequity—of constant injustice against Black people—and don’t see a problem because they have been taught to see Black people as the problem. 4/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/9NGsDrtMlO
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
Black people have been stamped as biologically, culturally, and/or behaviorally inferior from the beginning of these colonies, from the beginning of the United States. 5/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/klFeI1bcDe
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
People have been taught racist ideas that Black people, as a group, are lazy, violent, hypersexual, irresponsible, lurid, unintelligent, servile, childlike, and animalistic. And each racist idea has an origin story. 6/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/KYRdMtNQNZ
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
And each origin story is the production of racist ideas to distract people—especially Black people—from the racist policy and power that are ensnaring and excluding and endangering Black people. So, we won’t resist. 7/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/3C7Vd41fgu
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
Antiracist Americans have been resisting these ideas from the beginning, and imagining a multiracial nation whereby “equality” is no longer a dead letter on founding documents ... 8/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/7trbLoMDbA
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
... but a living creed where all racial groups are seen, finally, as equals, and treated equitably. 9/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/u27zxroYlZ
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
But we will never be able to create that living creed if we can’t identify racist ideas, if we can’t unlearn them, if we can’t learn antiracist ideas of racial equality ... 10/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/4pOkPxeya0
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
... if we refuse to abolish the racist policies that necessitate racist ideas to justify them. 11/https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/JqBDa8HH6p
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023 -
That is why this graphic history of racist ideas is so important. That is why I am excited that this new book comes out today. In this powerful new form, six years in the making. Joel, we did it. #StampedGraphic 12/12https://t.co/Rd4kdhI1QK pic.twitter.com/BlHCnYjJVm
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 6, 2023