Summary

In Chapter 4, “Biology” (44), Kendi recalls his third grade class (at a different school than the one he visited with the Black teacher). His White teacher rarely called on the students of color, usually ignoring their raised hands in favor of the White students. He remembers one particular day when a Black student raised her hand, failed to be called on, and lowered it dejectedly. He refers to this, and similar mild acts of racism as “microaggressions” (45). After this happened, the class attended church service, and when it was over, Kendi refused to leave his pew. The principal was called, and he complained about the racist teacher. The situation improved marginally afterwards. Kendi then explains that people often believe there are biological differences between the races—that Black people are, for instance, less intelligent and more physically gifted than White people. In the 18th...