Anti-racist scholar responds to Noems’ decree

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A recent executive order from Governor Kristi Noem calls out the work of an anti-racist author steeped in factual errors.

Ibram X. Kendi has written several books on anti-racist ideas and politics.

He is called by name in a recent decree from Governor Kristi Noem. The order prohibits the Department of Education, which is under the control of Governor Noems, from applying for federal grants relating to American history and civic education.

Noem says there is a growing movement across the country to reject patriotic education and downplay the positive revolution sparked by the country’s founders. Noem tells the past that the country has no racism in its DNA and calls the notion a lie.

In an interview with SDPBs Lori Walsh on In The Moment, Kendi says Noem is pushing a doctrine as well.

The idea that racism doesn’t exist is a doctrine, says Kendi. I just want us to be at least honest that you may not agree with some ideas, but to claim that a form of your ideas is not a form of indoctrination is definitely not true.

Kendi encourages Governor Kristi Noem to read her work, point out any factual errors, and send her a note.

I appreciate that she said she wanted our students to learn a story that studies both triumphs and mistakes, Kendi says. Because I share this.

The governor’s office did not respond to SDPB’s request for comment. Instead, Noem says on Twitter that Kendi is a Critical Race Theory leader who criticizes his efforts to prioritize civics and patriotic education.

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