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Breaking Down Human Hate: Our "Stamped" Book Club Digs Deep Into the Meaning of Antiracism

Breaking Down Human Hate: Our "Stamped" Book Club Digs Deep Into the Meaning of Antiracism

As part of the Global Read Aloud program, Upper School students and faculty are examining deep issues of humanity and racism proffered in the #1 New York Times bestseller Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds. Led by Rumsey Hall Library Media Specialist, Valerie DiLorenzo, an informal book club meets regularly to discuss their thoughts and feelings about racism, antiracism, and how it impacts their daily lives and relationships. 

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

This is NOT a history book.
This is a book about the here and now.
A book to help us better understand why we are where we are.
A book about race.

On October 9, participating Rumsey students gathered with thousands of young people around the world to video conference live with author Jason Reynolds. Here's what some of these students gleaned from Reynolds' earnest and inspiring message:

Ryan: "I like how Jason explained the three different types of people in terms of racism and the timeline of the racist events."

Chloe: "I always wanted to know about racism and I am happy that I learn about it in this book."

Veronica: "I especially love Jason Reynolds’ examples and analogies!"


 

Camila: "I enjoyed learning about racism and I appreciate the way Jason tells events that happened in the past."
Serena: "I love learning about how to stand up to racism and how it began. Stamped is very different than other history books and I love it."

Mrs. DiLorenzo: "Being 'ANTIRACIST requires ACTION. Most people will say they are not racist.' He made a comparison to running. Most people know how to run, but not everyone is a runner. The antiracists are the runners."

Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi’s Approach to Writing Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

 
Members of the book club at Rumsey Hall, the New England day and boarding school for students in Kindergarten through grade nine, will continue on their path of discovery throughout the school year—digging deep into the impact of racism and their own role in enacting change in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

"Rumsey Hall is in opposition to hate in all of its forms, including prejudice, bullying, and elitism and renounces behavior that excludes others. We also make a pledge to do better and recommit ourselves to our mission through the lenses of equity and justice. We are deeply committed to our values of family, community, honesty, kindness and respect, and we are working to lift the voices of those not heard. In the spirit of our motto, 'Qui non proficit, deficit' or 'Those who do not advance fall behind'; together, we will ALL move forward. " - Brooke Giese, Interim Head of School

Read more on Rumsey Hall's equity and justice mission and initiatives.