Reflecting on Fifteen Books
Read about the journey of a writer who has published fifteen books. Despite facing rejections and misinformation campaigns, the writer was able to overcome the odds and achieve their goal.
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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I published my first book eleven years ago. I am now able to hold my fifteenth book in my hands. I am kind of emotional, reflecting on how this was not meant to be. Fifteen books. Me? 1/ pic.twitter.com/9U8GTemhCs
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 12, 2023 -
As someone who didn’t read much as a child. . .As someone who struggled in school. . .As someone who faced rejections time and again. . .As someone who battled stage IV cancer. . . 2/
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 12, 2023 -
As someone subjected to years of misinformation campaigns to stop me from writing and people from reading me. . .Fifteen books? Me? 3/
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 12, 2023 -
Then again, the more they ban my books, the more books I publish. The more they misinform people about me and my work, the more focused I become about informing people about racism and being antiracist. 4/
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 12, 2023 -
Every single day I survive cancer is another day I am not going to waste. All those days of rejection keep me humble and grateful on days of acceptance. 5/
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 12, 2023 -
And all my days not reading as a youngster keep me producing engaging and enlightening literature for younger and older people. Like our latest one, Stamped from the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America. 6/
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 12, 2023 -
Shouts to my collaborator, cartoonist Joel Christian Gill, and all the authors and illustrators gracious enough to collaborate with me along the way. Much love and thanks to each of you. Much love and thanks to every reader.
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) June 12, 2023
I guess it is now sinking in. Fifteen books. Me. 7/7