Overview:
National Book Award-winning author and antiracist scholar, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, discussed his new release, "Malcolm Lives," at The Dock Bookshop. He emphasized the relevance of Malcolm X's life and ideas to current struggles and the importance of actively seeking to be anti-racist. Dr. Kendi hopes young readers will understand that they can be the next Malcolm and that their conditions do not define their potential. He also highlighted the importance of literature in supporting Black children and influencing white children.
I had the honor of interviewing National Book Award-winning author and antiracist scholar, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, on the occasion of his appearance at The Dock Bookshop to discuss his new release, Malcolm Lives. We talked about Malcolm X’s legacy, youth development, DEI backlash, and the role of truth in building liberated communities.
Terry Allen: Dr. Kendi, why does Malcolm X still matter in today’s America?
Dr. Kendi: “Malcolm X’s life and the ideas he grappled with are deeply relevant to our current struggles. His journey can help both adults and young people better understand what we’re facing right now.”
Terry Allen: With Malcolm Lives, how do you see Malcolm X’s legacy resonating with today’s movements for justice—and where do we still fall short?
Dr. Kendi: “You can’t expect to end chattel slavery by doing nothing. The more you do nothing, the more slavery spreads and harms and tortures and kills. And in many ways, that’s what’s happening right now. If we don’t actively seek to be anti‑racist, then racism will persist.”
Terry Allen: What do you hope young readers take from this book?
Dr. Kendi: “I wanted young people to understand that they can be the next Malcolm. I wanted them to see themselves in him. Malcolm started his transformation while incarcerated, through reading. That message is powerful: your conditions do not define your potential.”
Terry Allen: Much of your work focuses on antiracism for youth and families. How do grassroots programs like CityMentor complement that mission?
Dr. Kendi: “It’s not a coincidence that racist ideas have spread across time and across humanity. The reason why they have is because they’re simple. ‘Dark is ugly. Light is good. Dark people are bad. Light people are smart.’ These are very simple ideas that even a two or three or four year old can understand. Arming our children with information is protective… helping them to learn about racism and about anti‑racism.”
Terry Allen: On the impact of literature — how does this book support Black children and influence white children?
Dr. Kendi: “This work is important. For Black children, it helps them understand their value and potential—even if they’re locked up. And for white children, it can help them realize that Black people are not the problem. That understanding might stop them from harming Black children—and harming their own future in the process.”
Terry Allen: Dr. Kendi, on behalf of City Men Cook, CityMentor, and the Dallas Weekly I represent, thank you. Your voice continues to shape minds and ignite necessary change—and we honor you not only with words but by putting your books into the hands of young kings who will carry this legacy forward.
Thus, Dr. Kendi, recipient of the City Men Cook “Mentor of the Year” award, challenges us not to hide behind the comfort of being “not racist,” but rather, to stand firm and act as antiracists. He reminds us that racism isn’t just about personal behavior—it’s about policy and power.
Terry Allen is a former Dallas Weekly correspondent and current CEO of 1016 Media. However, he is probably best known for the nonprofit City Men Cook, now a Dallas staple, which has prepared the best Father’s Day feasts for over two decades. CityMentor is an offshoot of that effort, created to provide outstanding mentorship to young future leaders. To learn more, visit https://citymencook.com/.