Ibram X. Kendi and the Controversy over the Center for Antiracist Research

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the apparent crisis at scholar Ibram X. Kendi’s Center for Antiracist Research. 

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• After amassing tens of millions of dollars in funding, Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research abruptly laid off a third of its staff last week. Natalia referred to historian Holly Brewer’s scholarly critique of Kendi’s work in this Liberties essay, and Niki referred to extensive right-wing coverage of the issue, like this Fox News piece.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Aymann Ismail’s Slate essay, “Closed Book.”
• Neil shared about historian Benjamin E. Park’s Slate essay, “Sound of Freedom’s Tim Ballard Is a Star on the Right. Why Would His Church Denounce Him?”
• Niki discussed her column for CNN Opinion, “Maren Morris’ Powerful Farewell to Country Music.”