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The revelation, which aired in a series of tweets over the weekend from the award-winning author of “How to Be an Antiracist,” was accompanied by praise for his wife Sadiqa Kendi — who he said has been “battling the disease privately for months ‘. .’
An investigation is currently underway into what sources call disappointing research results from the center. Kendi’s admission comes after at least $43 million in grants and donations went to the program – which he founded three years ago.
The center, called the Center for Antiracist Research, strives to “build a world where racial equity and social justice prevail” — but was recently subjected to several complaints “focused on the center’s culture and management,” according to the school of subsidies.’
These complaints culminated last month in a layoff involving roughly 15 and 20 of the employees — as well as the aforementioned investigation centering on Kendi, 41. While the investigation is still ongoing, he spoke about his wife’s struggle.
Ibram
The revelation, which aired in a series of tweets over the weekend from the award-winning author of “How to Be an Antiracist,” was accompanied by praise for his wife Sadiqa Kendi — who he said has been “battling the disease privately for months ‘. ‘
“My partner @therealdrkendi shared a testimonial on IG this morning in honor of #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth,” he wrote of his fellow BU staffer, before revealing “she has been privately battling stage IV metastatic breast cancer for months.
He shared a recent photo of his partner, a pediatrician at the school’s medical center, showing her looking happy and healthy, adding: ‘Her testimony begins with these powerful words: “I don’t look like what I experienced. ”
The yet-to-be-investigated activist went on to discuss the many anti-government claims – but not before confronting his wife of a decade and telling how he “supported her fight… over the past months.’
Time Magazine’s 2020 100 Most Influential winner wrote, “(It) has allowed us to focus on what’s important,” before citing several principles such as “Health. Love. Family. Friends. Gratitude. Learning.
“Being our best selves every day because every day could be our last,” he said.
In another tweet, he added that he is “in awe of the woman and her courage… love… grace… (and) strength” – calling her his “inspiration,” along with their two young girls.
“It’s always been that way,” Kendi said, before briefly addressing the burgeoning scandal.
Kendi issued a vague statement that seemed to place blame elsewhere, writing: “Recently I have faced retaliatory or petty attacks on my management of the @AntiracismCtr by people who want to destroy my reputation.
“By people who knew what my family was dealing with,” he further noted.
“But what happened to me isn’t what matters; hasn’t been the real storm,” he insisted.
Time Magazine’s 2020 100 Most Influential winner wrote, “(It) has allowed us to focus on what’s important,” before citing several principles such as “Health. Love. Family. Friends. Gratitude. Learning.’
“The real storm is trying to survive the slow death of disease (or the instant death of bullets or bombs).”
Kendi said his wife is “surviving and even thriving” today and then thanked those who have stayed by his side as his leadership of the institute comes under scrutiny, who he said are “knowingly or unknowingly” supporting his wife ‘through her storm.
“I would like to thank everyone who joined our family,” he added.
“I want to uplift everyone who forms a circle of support for those battling the storm of breast cancer.
‘I am in awe of these women. These beloved women – their struggles to survive and thrive – are what matter.”
Also offered by Kendi was a quote from Sadiqa’s post in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in which the associate professor of BU’s School of Medicine wrote, “The point is not, ‘Why did this happen?’ (but) the question… “What now?”
“Sadiqa writes,” Kendi quoted, “I have decided to use my power to focus on living my best life, for however long or short a time I am blessed to live it.”
Also offered by Kendi was a quote from Sadiqa’s post in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in which the associate professor of BU’s School of Medicine wrote, “The point is not, ‘Why did this happen?’ (but) the question… “What now?”
The admission comes just over a month after BU was involved in layoffs within Kendi’s department, three years after he founded the center at BU and six years after he funded a similar center at American University.
Amid these openings, Kendi was hailed as a hero of the left and an innovator in academics, but he is now facing accusations of mismanagement regarding the more recent venture.
Some former and current employees told the Boston Globe that the center was poorly managed by Kendi.
“There are a number of ways it got to this point. “It started very early when the university decided to create a center that rested in the hands of one person, an individual who was given millions of dollars and so much authority,” says Spencer Piston. , the faculty leader of the center’s policy office told the publication.
Former assistant director of Narrative at the centre, Saida Grundy, said the center lacked structure and the culture was “exploitative” as she was asked to work unreasonable hours.
“It became very clear after I started that this was exploitation and that other faculty were experiencing the same thing and worse,” she told the outlet.
Kendi gained recognition in academic circles with his 2019 book “How To Be An Antiracist,” which exploded in popularity amid the global movement for racial equality in 2020.
Then-BU President Robert A. Brown said at the time that Kendi’s leadership would “place a critical emphasis on research and policy to help eliminate racism in our country.”
Kendi’s hiring announcement was followed by an outpouring of donations to BU in support of the center and Kendi’s work, including a three-year $1.5 million gift from the biotech company Vertex and a $10 million donation from Twitter founder Jack Dorsey later that summer.
Former assistant director of the story at the center, Saida Grundy, said the center lacked structure and the culture was “exploitative.”
Spencer Piston, faculty leader of the center’s policy office, said Kendi had too much power in the organization
A few months later, the Rockefeller Foundation donated $1.5 million over two years to help fund the center’s COVID-19 Racial Data Tracker.
Kendi’s work, especially his children’s book “Antiracists Baby,” has been criticized for teaching children controversial critical race theory.
Kendi defended his books in June 2022 as a way to teach people, including children, to “see racism.”
“Well, actually, teaching people to see racism,” Kendi said on “CBS Mornings.” ‘There is a difference. Race is a mirage. Racism is real. And it’s – you know who is most likely to be harmed by racism? Our children. Do you know who is least likely to engage in it? Our children. That’s what really convinces me to do this work.’
The investigation into Kendi’s alleged conduct and allegedly misused funds — including $10 million donated by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey — is ongoing.
According to 2021 budget data obtained by The Daily Free Press, donors also include TJ Maxx’s foundation, Stop & Shop and Peloton — all of which donated more than $1 million.
BU’s Center was first launched in 2020 and is currently still in operation.