Lies about Black People: How to Combat Racist Stereotypes and Why It Matters

In many ways, race has come to the forefront of contemporary American life. From the Black Lives Matter movement sparked by unarmed police shootings of black people to the health and economic disparities exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have been forced to reckon with our country’s fraught history – and present – of racial bias and inequality. Now that we have scratched the surface on courageous conversations about race, many are wondering: what is the next step towards healing and justice? Lies About Black People: Challenging Common Racist Stereotypes on Our Path to Common Antiracist Understanding is designed for anyone who wants to examine their own biases and behaviors with a deeper critical lens in order to take action, make change, and engage positively in the fight for racial equality.

In this honest and welcoming book, diversity and inclusion expert, professor, and award-winning speaker Dr. Omekongo Dibinga argues that we must embark on a massive undertaking to re-educate ourselves on the stereotypes that have proven harmful, and too often deadly, to the black community. Through personal anecdotes, nuanced historical inquiry, and engaging analysis of modern-day events and their historical context and implications, this invaluable guide will break down some of the most powerful lies told about black people. Whether those lies are pernicious, like the idea that “most black people are criminals,” or seemingly innocuous, like “black people can’t swim,” all of the lies and stereotypes combatted in this book are rooted in hate and continue to undermine not only black people in America, but our society as a whole. Beyond combatting these harmful lies, Dr. Dibinga also provides readers with powerful insights on our racial vocabulary, reflective hands-on exercises that will allow readers to confront and change their own biases, and an honest discussion about how to move beyond misplaced shame and use privilege to serve others.

Featuring personal surveys alongside real-life interviews with those who have been affected by racial biases first-hand, this open and thoughtful guide will lead readers on a path to understanding, action, and change.

Dr. Omekongo Dibinga’s life has been devoted to challenging bias and smashing stereotypes for over 30 years since first getting involved as a community activist. Dr. Dibinga is Professorial Lecturer of Intercultural Communication at American University. He is a well-known professional speaker working with corporations and school districts across the country on culturally relevant instruction. Hisundergraduate and doctoral work has centered around issues facing the black community not only in American but across the globe, which has led Dr. Dibinga to live and work in almost 30 countries. Dr. Dibinga earned his Ph.D. in International Education Policy at The University of Maryland (UMD) where his dissertation centered on post-Civil Rights Era black youth. He also worked with the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Teaching Diverse Students Initiative” and provides leadership, educational and diversity empowerment as a consultant and motivational speaker for organizations, associations, and institutions around the world.