CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (May 21, 2026) — The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) will host Evelyn Carter PhD for a discussion of her new book, Was That Racist?: How to Detect, Interrupt, and Unlearn Bias in Everyday Life. The event will include a moderated discussion with Rob Cline and is presented by Next Page Books and the African American Museum of Iowa
Dr Carter, who has Iowa roots, is a social psychologist who studies how we detect and discuss racial bias, and how we can do both more effectively. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and published in peer-reviewed journals as well as popular press outlets. She has more than fifteen years’ experience as a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant across a wide range of industries, including higher education, financial services, tech, retail, and professional sports.
Was That Racist? is a practical guide with research-backed strategies designed to foster action and understanding. The book provides practical strategies on how to cultivate a growth mindset about bias, unlearn colorblindness, and practice color consciousness, talk to kids about race and racism, and bring others along for the journey.
“How do we combat racism in a world determined to tell us it doesn’t exist? To hold the line against racism, we need to know it when we see it. And as the dominant racial group in our society, White people must take up the charge. The problem is that White people haven’t been socialized to detect racial bias in the way people of color do. Racism is more than using racial slurs or overt, hateful speech, and it’s more than unintentional slights; it’s about an entire system that upholds Whiteness as the preferred standard. Fortunately, detecting it is a skill that can be learned.”
Patrons can learn more about this event, reserve their free seat, and place an order for Was That Racist? at blackiowa.org/events. Next Page Books will fulfill orders placed by June 2.
ABOUT AAMI: The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. As Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic, we educate more than 30,000 people each year through museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth and adult education programs, and community and fundraising events.
ABOUT NEXT PAGE BOOKS: Next Page Books is a locally-owned independent bookstore located in the heart of the New Bohemia neighborhood of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Situated in CSPS Hall, a registered historic landmark built in 1890, customers can browse a curated collection of books and sideline items in a warm and welcoming environment. The shop features a fine selection of new fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and children’s books. Learn more at npbnewbo.com.
