How Tiffany Jewell's ‘This Book Is Anti-Racist’ Helps People Start Their Anti-Racist Journeys

Tiffany Jewell, a biracial writer, parent, and Montessori educator, recently published her first book to help guide kids, teens, and adults at the start of their anti-racist journey. This Book Is Anti-Racist also aims to empower young people to disrupt and uproot racial systems that have been in place for several years.

“I have been an educator for almost 18 years, and 15 of those were [spent] working in Montessori schools,” Jewell said. “Working with young folks has really kind of driven me forward in the work of anti-racist education. I love working with young folks because I think they are incredibly honest, and I think it’s really important to honor [them].”

In addition to being a teacher, Jewell has designed curriculums, given workshops, and presented at conferences on her work addressing social inequity through the lenses of race, class, immigration, and gender.

“Anti-bias education and anti-racist education allow us to really see and honor the whole child in school,” Jewell said. “A lot of times, children are reduced to statistics, to numbers. You know, you have to leave your whole language at the door. You don’t see a teacher that looks like you, none of the books in your class affect you, and an anti-racist education is one where children and the adults in their lives can actively stand against systems that will oppress them.”

This Book Is Anti-Racist has 20 chapters and is divided into four parts. There is journal work or an activity at the end of each chapter, which is meant to further your learning.

“I really believe that books are great tools, but we are not going to create action just by reading books,” Jewell said. “The book starts with knowing who you are and breaking up your understanding of identity and specifically how your racial and ethnic identities are seen by the world around you.”

Jewell said she then breaks down what racism is at the personal level and the institutional level.

“Then we move into the third section, where I really ask the readers to think about how they are going to take action,” Jewell said. “What are you willing to do? How are you willing to interrupt? How can you push yourselves to go out of your comfort zone?”

Jewell said the last section is really about what it means to be held accountable and how, especially if someone is white, are they going to encourage their community to stand against racism and work together.

“When I was younger, and now too, I am a fast processor, and I always want to know what I can do next,” Jewell said. “I need to go out into the world, or I need to connect with other people. A call to action looks different for everybody. For some folks, it’s going out and protesting in the streets. Some people aren’t able to do that. I think it’s important to have a force of action.”

Jewell said the things she is working on for the future are all pretty related because understanding racial identity is at the heart and core of everything she has done.

“What we are doing is going to greatly impact [young folks],” Jewell said. “When I’m gone, I can leave knowing that I did everything I could for the next generation.”