The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
- Downloads：9483
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-02-25 22:54:08
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Heather McGhee
- ISBN：0525509569
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
One of today's most insightful and influential thinkers offers a powerful exploration of inequality and the lesson that generations of Americans have failed to learn: Racism has a cost for everyone--not just for people of color。
"This is the book I've been waiting for。"--Ibram X。 Kendi， #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist
Heather McGhee's specialty is the American economy--and the mystery of why it so often fails the American public。 From the financial crisis to rising student debt to collapsing public infrastructure， she found a common root problem: racism。 But not just in the most obvious indignities for people of color。 Racism has costs for white people， too。 It is the common denominator of our most vexing public problems， the core dysfunction of our democracy and constitutive of the spiritual and moral crises that grip us all。 But how did this happen？ And is there a way out？
McGhee embarks on a deeply personal journey across the country from Maine to Mississippi to California， tallying what we lose when we buy into the zero-sum paradigm--the idea that progress for some of us must come at the expense of others。 Along the way， she meets white people who confide in her about losing their homes， their dreams， and their shot at better jobs to the toxic mix of American racism and greed。 This is the story of how public goods in this country--from parks and pools to functioning schools--have become private luxuries; of how unions collapsed， wages stagnated， and inequality increased; and of how this country， unique among the world's advanced economies， has thwarted universal healthcare。
But in unlikely places of worship and work， McGhee finds proof of what she calls the Solidarity Dividend: gains that come when people come together across race， to accomplish what we simply can't do on our own。
The Sum of Us is a brilliant analysis of how we arrived here: divided and self-destructing， materially rich but spiritually starved and vastly unequal。 McGhee marshals economic and sociological research to paint an irrefutable story of racism's costs， but at the heart of the book are the humble stories of people yearning to be part of a better America， including white supremacy's collateral victims: white people themselves。 With startling empathy， this heartfelt message from a Black woman to a multiracial America leaves us with a new vision for a future in which we finally realize that life can be more than a zero-sum game。
"This is the book I've been waiting for。"--Ibram X。 Kendi， #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist
Heather McGhee's specialty is the American economy--and the mystery of why it so often fails the American public。 From the financial crisis to rising student debt to collapsing public infrastructure， she found a common root problem: racism。 But not just in the most obvious indignities for people of color。 Racism has costs for white people， too。 It is the common denominator of our most vexing public problems， the core dysfunction of our democracy and constitutive of the spiritual and moral crises that grip us all。 But how did this happen？ And is there a way out？
McGhee embarks on a deeply personal journey across the country from Maine to Mississippi to California， tallying what we lose when we buy into the zero-sum paradigm--the idea that progress for some of us must come at the expense of others。 Along the way， she meets white people who confide in her about losing their homes， their dreams， and their shot at better jobs to the toxic mix of American racism and greed。 This is the story of how public goods in this country--from parks and pools to functioning schools--have become private luxuries; of how unions collapsed， wages stagnated， and inequality increased; and of how this country， unique among the world's advanced economies， has thwarted universal healthcare。
But in unlikely places of worship and work， McGhee finds proof of what she calls the Solidarity Dividend: gains that come when people come together across race， to accomplish what we simply can't do on our own。
The Sum of Us is a brilliant analysis of how we arrived here: divided and self-destructing， materially rich but spiritually starved and vastly unequal。 McGhee marshals economic and sociological research to paint an irrefutable story of racism's costs， but at the heart of the book are the humble stories of people yearning to be part of a better America， including white supremacy's collateral victims: white people themselves。 With startling empathy， this heartfelt message from a Black woman to a multiracial America leaves us with a new vision for a future in which we finally realize that life can be more than a zero-sum game。
Reviews
Kama
，
This goes along with _ Dying of Whiteness_ in the racism-is-a-hell-of-a-drug canon。 So very frustrating， so very enlightening。 And ultimately， somewhat hopeful。
Andee
，
Thank you， NetGalley， for the opportunity to read this important book。 I knew racism had a cost; a cost of lives， a cost of friendships， a cost of democracy。 But other than slavery， I never thought about the economic cost in present day and why we can't have nice things。 I learned so much from Heather McGhee。 I'm grateful to own the book so I could highlight the heck out of it。 A quote I believe summarizes the book so well:"I sensed that the core idea that's so resonant with many white Americans Thank you， NetGalley， for the opportunity to read this important book。 I knew racism had a cost; a cost of lives， a cost of friendships， a cost of democracy。 But other than slavery， I never thought about the economic cost in present day and why we can't have nice things。 I learned so much from Heather McGhee。 I'm grateful to own the book so I could highlight the heck out of it。 A quote I believe summarizes the book so well:"I sensed that the core idea that's so resonant with many white Americans - there's an us and a them， and what's good for them is bad for us - was at the root of our country's dysfunction。"1o years ago， I might tell you I didn't know any racists。 The Trump administration not only proved that to be false， but pointed out I share the same blood line with these racists。 How could I be related to these people and only now find out they believe the quote above？ Other lessons learned/realized from McGee's studies: - Reagans policies were based in racism- California sank from a national leader in school funding to 41st in the country due to measures like Prop 13。。。my own education suffered from it， but white communities didn't suffer like their friends of color counterparts。 -Many states spend more on jails and prisons than they were on colleges and universities。 _Regan eliminating the fairness doctrine made way for nut jobs to spread lies and conspiracies， hurting BIPOC communities most。-Some white workers will vote against their own interests to make sure Black counterparts don't also benefit。Greatest nation in the world？ No。 Not for a long time。 Pick up this book and realize how much is spent and lost because of racism。 。。。more
Audrey Farley
，
A very important book， which I will be incorporating in my Amer。 history classes。 McGhee shows how the federal government has historically been an activist one， investing in the （white） middle class from the days of the Homestead Acts to New Deal and beyond。 Over the centuries， the majority of whites supported robust federal programs。 It was only when the Civil Rights Act was looming that the public decided it was best to dismantle everything after all。 The image of cheats and "welfare queens" b A very important book， which I will be incorporating in my Amer。 history classes。 McGhee shows how the federal government has historically been an activist one， investing in the （white） middle class from the days of the Homestead Acts to New Deal and beyond。 Over the centuries， the majority of whites supported robust federal programs。 It was only when the Civil Rights Act was looming that the public decided it was best to dismantle everything after all。 The image of cheats and "welfare queens" began to grip the public imagination， and people developed an intense cynicism toward the government。 Beyond debunking the myth that the white middle class built itself， McGhee shows how whites can be "collateral victims" of white supremacy。 Many are suffering from the privatization of healthcare， education， etc。 As someone who teaches/writes about eugenics （a movement in which tens of thousands of whites were forcibly sterilized in the name of white supremacy）， I think this somewhat counter-intuitive message is under-appreciated。 I hope this book will "change the way we talk about race，" as the NYT predicts。 My only complaint is the chapters are rather formulaic。 After 100 pages， things began to feel a bit repetitive， even though new information was being presented。 。。。more
Roxanne
，
This is an extremely excellent book。 I got it right after the Texas weather problem where they are not on the power grid because they hate the government being in their business。 But Ted Cruz went to Cancun because his wife was too cold and he stranded everyone no matter their race or economic situation。 Another rich Congress person took his private jet to Orlando。 People died from this and they decided to bail out。 I have always thought we are a nation where everyone is supposed to be equal。 Bu This is an extremely excellent book。 I got it right after the Texas weather problem where they are not on the power grid because they hate the government being in their business。 But Ted Cruz went to Cancun because his wife was too cold and he stranded everyone no matter their race or economic situation。 Another rich Congress person took his private jet to Orlando。 People died from this and they decided to bail out。 I have always thought we are a nation where everyone is supposed to be equal。 But sadly this is not true at all。 We should want the best for every citizen of the USA。 In this pandemic every person is suffering。 The point of the book is the benefits we gain when people come together across race to accomplish what we cannot do on our own。 I now live in a small town and when my mother in law got a flat tire 30 people stopped by to see if they could help her。 Two houses down there a bad house fire and we have mostly volunteer firemen and they needed help badly。 Every man in town came running over here to help out and they stayed for 5 hours。 You do not see that too often。 I hope a lot of people read this book。 。。。more
Michael Perkins
，
The author's thesis is: “It is progressive economic conventional wisdom that racism accelerates inequality for communities of color， but what if racism is actually driving inequality for everyone？”The author proceeds to prove her case with stats and many stories。 I was familiar with much of the material already from other books。The book linked below， which came out two years ago， has the same thesis， but is 100 pages shorter。 It might be better to start with this one。 https://www。goodreads。com/b The author's thesis is: “It is progressive economic conventional wisdom that racism accelerates inequality for communities of color， but what if racism is actually driving inequality for everyone？”The author proceeds to prove her case with stats and many stories。 I was familiar with much of the material already from other books。The book linked below， which came out two years ago， has the same thesis， but is 100 pages shorter。 It might be better to start with this one。 https://www。goodreads。com/book/show/4。。。 。。。more
Rea Scott
，
450 page books with 100 pages worth of notes and sitations are my favorite nonfiction books。 Hello， research！ Hello， stats！ We love to see it。
Nathaniel
，
No other book I've read more fully understands the evil nature of america's history while still being optimistic about its， and our， future。 Heather McGhee takes the philosophical tenet of Baldwin and Morrison--that racism is a harm to both its victims and perpetrators--and fleshes it out with expert policy analysis aimed at demonstrating the urgent truth that we can still fulfill this nation's yet unrealized promises through honesty about our past and cooperative action that doesn't have to cho No other book I've read more fully understands the evil nature of america's history while still being optimistic about its， and our， future。 Heather McGhee takes the philosophical tenet of Baldwin and Morrison--that racism is a harm to both its victims and perpetrators--and fleshes it out with expert policy analysis aimed at demonstrating the urgent truth that we can still fulfill this nation's yet unrealized promises through honesty about our past and cooperative action that doesn't have to choose between being compassionate and self-serving， because it is both。 As thought-provoking as it is practical; as meticulous as it is stunning。 You should read this。 。。。more
Racquel R
，
All I can say is wow。。。I wish I had this book in high school。 Heather brilliantly explains how racist policies aimed at certain populations actually hurt EVERYONE， and what prosperity can and WILL look like when we all finally wake up and join together。 This is a movement。 Excited for America to read this book。
Randy Rasa
，
"The sum of us can accomplish far more than just some of us。" This book is a brilliant， deep， and thoughtful dissection of the ways in which America has played racial groups against each other in a zero-sum game， where potential gains for a minority are seen as losses for the majority。 It builds on the central theme of Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland， providing historical perspective and concrete examples of how the zero-sum game has playe "The sum of us can accomplish far more than just some of us。" This book is a brilliant， deep， and thoughtful dissection of the ways in which America has played racial groups against each other in a zero-sum game， where potential gains for a minority are seen as losses for the majority。 It builds on the central theme of Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland， providing historical perspective and concrete examples of how the zero-sum game has played out to the detriment of all， and how we can begin to reject this simplistic and damaging framework。 The Sum of Us is well-written， and reads smoothly， at times very nearly novelistic in the strength of it's narrative and the vividness of its voice。 Highly recommended。 。。。more
Lorilin
，
This book。 Wow。 THE SUM OF US。It took me a bit to get through it， because it was so descriptive， well-researched， and， frankly， depressing。 Heather McGhee covers topics like housing， segregation， labor unions， schools， and healthcare to show how white people have bought into a zero-sum mindset （the idea that if you get more than you used to get， it means I must be getting less） and have actually hurt THEMSELVES thinking this way。 （Of course this mindset hurts black and brown people most。）Some ta This book。 Wow。 THE SUM OF US。It took me a bit to get through it， because it was so descriptive， well-researched， and， frankly， depressing。 Heather McGhee covers topics like housing， segregation， labor unions， schools， and healthcare to show how white people have bought into a zero-sum mindset （the idea that if you get more than you used to get， it means I must be getting less） and have actually hurt THEMSELVES thinking this way。 （Of course this mindset hurts black and brown people most。）Some takeaways from this book。。。 First， we all belong。 Second， some issues are better tackled together。 Third， Americans， regardless of skin color， are a hardworking bunch。 And if people are working that hard， they should be guaranteed a certain minimum standard of life。 If you’re sick， you should be able to see a doctor。 Your kids should be able to go to a good school。And the thing I keep coming back to。。。if you’re a hardworking adult， don’t you deserve to live a life you don’t have to numb yourself to？ I don’t care whether it’s with opioids or crack， can’t we agree that every person deserves to feel stable and safe？ Just think of the possibilities。。。And hey， one possible solution: what if we finally decided that businesses could be taxed like individuals。 Sorry Jeff Bezos， there’s no good reason why Amazon only paid 1% in federal taxes last year。。。 👎🏼Many thanks to Net Galley and One World for the ARC。 。。。more
Jake
，
It was wild reading this book and following the climate catastrophe unfold in Texas。 It’s almost like it was published for this exact moment。 While it’s understandable that Texas wouldn’t be accustomed to a snowfall and deep freeze， it’s not understandable， at least in the abstract， that its power grid wouldn’t be able to accommodate。But I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised。 Conservative Texas politicians immediately went on the offensive。 Former Governor and energy secretary Rick Perry said It was wild reading this book and following the climate catastrophe unfold in Texas。 It’s almost like it was published for this exact moment。 While it’s understandable that Texas wouldn’t be accustomed to a snowfall and deep freeze， it’s not understandable， at least in the abstract， that its power grid wouldn’t be able to accommodate。But I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised。 Conservative Texas politicians immediately went on the offensive。 Former Governor and energy secretary Rick Perry said the state would freeze before it accepted government help。 Governor Greg Abbott blamed the nonexistent Green New Deal。 Senator Ted Cruz said all kinds of dumb stuff before hightailing it to Cancun， only to be shamed into returning home。It’s all part of the same shell game: the desire of white people to make their circumstances worse rather than have equality for all。Heather C。 McGhee’s timely op-ed in last week’s New York Times immediately put her on my radar。 Her argument was simple: by giving into white supremacist policies that disproportionately impact Black people and other ethnic minorities， white people inadvertently hurt themselves financially and socially。 She expands on this in her book， a book that I think all white Americans should read。McGhee begins the book with a condensed version of racial history in America from pre-slavery to Jim Crow， framing the book with the understanding that radicalized policies trace back to slavery and its aftereffects。 She then breaks the book down into different sections， covering such topics as voting， labor， finance， housing and others。 In each piece， she uses examples that talk about how while these policies primarily hurt the non-white targets they’re designed to hurt， they still impact white people。 Her argument throughout is the need for a multiracial coalition that stands against white power brokers who are breaking the world’s climate and tearing America’s social fabric。What I appreciate most about this book is that I’ve always believed that racism impacted white people but I’ve never been able to articulate it aside from a few abstract examples。 McGhee’s book fills-in-the-blanks for me and for any white person who are looking to expand the scope of their knowledge of how racism works。I would say that while I highly recommend the book， it comes with some caveats: It’s written in a very academic way that reads dryly。 There were times when it was tough to track McGhee’s arguments and some of the chapters could have been better developed。Nevertheless， this isn’t meant to be a comprehensive answer for every facet of systemic racism。 It’s meant to be a gateway for understanding the many-tentacled way in which it works。 It’s a book for this moment and I can’t recommend it enough。 。。。more
Dawn Michelle
，
This is a book that will quickly become a "must-read" book as it is filled with some amazing information about the "zero-sum" phenomenon and takes a deep look at why white people continue to sabotage themselves just to make [what they deem] life harder for those who don't share the same skin color as them [Black people， Brown people， Asians， Immigrants etc]。 This book is filled with story after story of the history of the "zero-sum" issues and how it has and continues to hurt everyone， not just This is a book that will quickly become a "must-read" book as it is filled with some amazing information about the "zero-sum" phenomenon and takes a deep look at why white people continue to sabotage themselves just to make [what they deem] life harder for those who don't share the same skin color as them [Black people， Brown people， Asians， Immigrants etc]。 This book is filled with story after story of the history of the "zero-sum" issues and how it has and continues to hurt everyone， not just the targeted group。 This is， for the most part， a very easy [if not frustrating and angering] read， though there are parts that were， for me， very dense and a little above my pay-grade， but I will freely admit here that I know little about mortgages [the chapter I really struggled with] and so it became a tough read for me there。 The research here is top-notch; the author knows what she is talking about and this is written in a clear and concise way that almost anyone can understand。 And it is much needed。 Unless we understand what is going on around us， how can we change the damaging behaviors？ This book is a good way to both learn and start。 Very well done。 Thank you to NetGalley， Heather McGhee and Random House Publishing Group - Random House/One World for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Julia
，
This book was PHENOMENAL！ A MUST READ for everyone！
Brian Rothbart
，
Heather McGhee in “The Sum of Us” provides studies， lessons exploring how racism impacts everyone， not the oppressed by the oppressor。 The book’s premise is similar to what Jonathan Metzl explored in “Dying of Whiteness”。 However， McGhee broadens the topics and examples to show how racism is not only harming Black and Brown people， but also White people。 There have been a number of these books written in the last year and you have lots of choices on what to read and I would add this book to your Heather McGhee in “The Sum of Us” provides studies， lessons exploring how racism impacts everyone， not the oppressed by the oppressor。 The book’s premise is similar to what Jonathan Metzl explored in “Dying of Whiteness”。 However， McGhee broadens the topics and examples to show how racism is not only harming Black and Brown people， but also White people。 There have been a number of these books written in the last year and you have lots of choices on what to read and I would add this book to your list。 It is an important insightful book。 We need to have this discussion now and right the wrongs so that everyone benefits。 “… we are so much more when the ‘We’ in ‘We the People’ is not some of us， but all of us。 We are great than， and greater for， the sum of us。” 。。。more
Jessica （justagirlwithabook）
，
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together， by Heather McGhee takes an up-close and personal look at the issue of racism， its origins， its growth， and its twisted ability to continue to reach through to the present， infiltrating and poisoning every aspect of life， especially as it relates to the economics of the American system。 When we say that racism is systemic， this book puts any second thoughts to rest。 As a white woman， I have found myself questioning the rea The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together， by Heather McGhee takes an up-close and personal look at the issue of racism， its origins， its growth， and its twisted ability to continue to reach through to the present， infiltrating and poisoning every aspect of life， especially as it relates to the economics of the American system。 When we say that racism is systemic， this book puts any second thoughts to rest。 As a white woman， I have found myself questioning the reasons for why things are so mixed up， backwards， and unfathomable， like how can one of the wealthiest first world countries "not have nice things" as McGhee would say？ Why do we continue to make poor policy choices that only widen the gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots"？ A lot of times， I think "Well， it's just really complicated，" and I can list off all the factors that contribute to the way of the American system。 But at the end of the day， some of these factors that I have been lead to believe as factors aren't actually factors at all; they are just lies that have been told to manipulate thinking and the overall （white） public opinion。 McGhee shows through research and personal narratives that all along， racism has been at the root。 Have things gotten more tangled as we've gone along？ Sure。 But at the core is racism and a legacy of white supremacy。If we work to untangle our learning， we'll see that poor policy and economic decisions have been made because of racism and white supremacy's need to survive， and as time has gone on， the issues that plague our country have just continued to get messier and more bundled up in complication， making it harder to find its ugly roots。 But McGhee lays it all bare， and I applaud and thank her for her research and for her commitment to not only share the stories of those who have been impacted， Black and white alike， but to also shed light on the deeply troubling impact of our nation's past and present AND what we can do about it。This is a deeply powerful book full of insight and， for especially white people， perspectives that challenge old and incredibly harmful ways of thinking。 This is a must-read especially for white individuals like myself who can then begin to have conversations with white friends， family members， and colleagues who also need to rethink their own perspectives and what we've all been so manipulated into believing about most specifically economics and policy-making over the course of our nation's history。 What a great unlearning！ I hope to read more from Heather McGhee in the future。 Her research is so important and her voice is helping to bring about change in our society。 。。。more
Elizabeth
，
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together （Hardcover）by Heather McGheefrom the libraryheard heather McGhee au on Fresh Air this date。 https://www。npr。org/2021/02/17/968638。。。https://en。wikipedia。org/wiki/Blockad。。。Through the Blockade: The Profitability and Extent of Cotton Smuggling， 1861-1865Stanley Lebergott paper The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together （Hardcover）by Heather McGheefrom the libraryheard heather McGhee au on Fresh Air this date。 https://www。npr。org/2021/02/17/968638。。。https://en。wikipedia。org/wiki/Blockad。。。Through the Blockade: The Profitability and Extent of Cotton Smuggling， 1861-1865Stanley Lebergott paper 。。。more
Anna Serene
，
Excellent。 Absolutely excellent！ So well written。 An important book that explores how racism is a tool used by the people in power to keep us constantly fighting， because its when we come together that we recognize our own power and self-worth has nothing to do with those billionaires and politicians and everything to do with the strength of unity and community。 Highly， HIGHLY recommend！
Jesse Keljo
，
Skeptical about racism in America？ Start here。 This book is an absolutely incredible book that details the economic impacts of racism on all aspects of society for all people。 We cannot be told our sins。 We must be shown them， and that is exactly what the author does。 She begins with the potent stories of communities draining the public pools that brought disparate ethnic communities together instead of integrating them， which made both Black and white folks lose out on an amazing resource。 She Skeptical about racism in America？ Start here。 This book is an absolutely incredible book that details the economic impacts of racism on all aspects of society for all people。 We cannot be told our sins。 We must be shown them， and that is exactly what the author does。 She begins with the potent stories of communities draining the public pools that brought disparate ethnic communities together instead of integrating them， which made both Black and white folks lose out on an amazing resource。 She then details all of the ways “pools” have been drained across our society to the detriment of everyone， but she also explores solutions that could start reversing the tide and raising all boats。 This is an essential addition to antiracist book lists if you are looking to further your education on this topic，’and it also gives ideas for how you can do the work and advocate for change in your community。 The author also does a great job of reading her work in the audiobook。 I cannot recommend this book highly enough。 。。。more
Sarah
，
The Sum of Us by Heather McGee is a well researched， well structured look at the racial divisions stoked by craven politicians and companies and how they affect everyone - even those with a modicum of privilege。 For myself， reading this book wasn't entirely revelatory in terms of how sowing racial division is beneficial for politicians looking to make cuts to services - however， I really enjoyed reading from McGee's perspective as a long time worker and eventual president of a think tank， as wel The Sum of Us by Heather McGee is a well researched， well structured look at the racial divisions stoked by craven politicians and companies and how they affect everyone - even those with a modicum of privilege。 For myself， reading this book wasn't entirely revelatory in terms of how sowing racial division is beneficial for politicians looking to make cuts to services - however， I really enjoyed reading from McGee's perspective as a long time worker and eventual president of a think tank， as well as her research with individuals and cities that triumphed against bigoted practices。I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting greater understanding of the way politicians speak and act - often against the greater good， and sometimes against what constituent polling wants。 An excellent Black History Month read！Thank you to the publisher， via NetGalley， for providing me with an arc for review。 。。。more
Randy A。
，
The Sum of Us is very good。 It will deservingly spark great conversations， coalition building， arguments for policy change， and the change itself。 I didn't love the book's tone/organization， but that may be personal。The book is out today and I thank Net Galley for early access and the chance to read and review。 I jumped at the chance to read early both because （1） I am interested in racial injustice and policy avenues to a more equitable future and （2） every time Heather McGhee appears on televi The Sum of Us is very good。 It will deservingly spark great conversations， coalition building， arguments for policy change， and the change itself。 I didn't love the book's tone/organization， but that may be personal。The book is out today and I thank Net Galley for early access and the chance to read and review。 I jumped at the chance to read early both because （1） I am interested in racial injustice and policy avenues to a more equitable future and （2） every time Heather McGhee appears on television I feel like she raises the discourse and makes everyone in the room and tuning in smarter。 To make her argument， most chapters focus on a policy topic （though the wheels come off this organization by the last chapters）， such as residential/school segregation， climate change， voting rights， home ownership。 She marshals examples from her own life story， history， relevant support from others' work， and her in-person interviews to make the case that racial discrimination has hurt and continues to hurt everyone - including white people。 The author's discussion of drained swimming pools as a response to integrating pools was the most poignant and becomes a repeated metaphor throughout the book。 What makes this book very good over excellent is the way the book is laid out as a personal journey as opposed to a thesis with supporting proof。 Also the policy prescriptions are very brief at the end of the book but might have been given deeper treatment at the end of each chapter。 COVID-19 gets quick treatment in the last chapter， and I think it may have been worth slowing publication for a section on health disparities。 Still， I would recommend it and hope to hear/watch McGhee engaging with interviewers and audiences。 。。。more
Susan
，
This is a book I suggest you put at the top of your Racism Education reading list！ Ms。 McGhee takes a solid look at what racism is costing every single American every single day in health， wealth， education， etc， etc， etc。 For example: this book doesn't have the basic math spelled out like Mr。 Metzl did in his Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland， but she still strongly supports her points on how the fear of "immigrants and welfare freeloaders" This is a book I suggest you put at the top of your Racism Education reading list！ Ms。 McGhee takes a solid look at what racism is costing every single American every single day in health， wealth， education， etc， etc， etc。 For example: this book doesn't have the basic math spelled out like Mr。 Metzl did in his Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland， but she still strongly supports her points on how the fear of "immigrants and welfare freeloaders" （my paraphrasing） using our medical system has crippled healthcare for millions of citizens， needlessly。 Again she returns to how the richest Americans use racism to help force down wages and benefits， hurting every single person they employee regardless of race。 Once again， someone is showing us what is wrong， what needs to be done， and how to do it。 White people shouldn’t need examples of how racism is hurting them to want to help to unwork our racist system， but that seems to be the case。 This book answers that need。 I did wonder a bit， as reading this book， if Ms。 McGhee wishes she had waited another 6 months or so before publishing this book。 Completed before the election and ensuing madness， there were a few additional examples and maybe even chapters she could have added。 How sad is that， for the sum of us？Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a copy of the book。 This review is my own opinion。 。。。more
Hannah Krueger
，
NetGalley was kind enough to pass me this book as part of a random email campaign back in December， and I finally （fittingly） got to it this month。 This feels like it’s going to be a new classic， in terms of the broad and thorough look at how conservatives and racists use the idea of a zero sum game to divide America and how that actively hurts us as a nation on a macro level， as well as on the individual community level。 The swimming pool chapter alone will stick with people for a very long tim NetGalley was kind enough to pass me this book as part of a random email campaign back in December， and I finally （fittingly） got to it this month。 This feels like it’s going to be a new classic， in terms of the broad and thorough look at how conservatives and racists use the idea of a zero sum game to divide America and how that actively hurts us as a nation on a macro level， as well as on the individual community level。 The swimming pool chapter alone will stick with people for a very long time， I think。 The thoroughness of the dives into homeownership， health care， and schools alone are a great primer for people getting into racial equality， but also have great policy suggestions and concrete ways for people to help and demand change。 She also includes examples of people who become involved in these movements， and her own examples from working at Demos and dealing with the policy wonks in Washington。 People may roll their eyes at the frequency of quoting of monetary costs at times， but trust me， as someone who works with people in finance， it’s the only way you can get through to people。 McGhee also includes a very thorough notes section at the end of the book that serves both as footnotes and further reading。 She also ends on examples of communities where people have bought in and all the benefits it’s bought them （most notably， the Somali community in Maine）。 Pick this up when it comes out， it’s going to be showing up on several end of year lists。 。。。more
KK
，
I really enjoyed this book， and learned so much from within its pages。 We are not more when we make someone less; we do not lose our rights by extending them to others。 I want a copy for myself and a copy for each of several friends！ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this work in exchange for my honest review。
Jim
，
I am a long time admirer and follower of Heather McGhee and her work at Demos。 I regularly interact with Demos' work， and was not surprised by McGhee's elevated public persona over the past five or so years。 She is a singular voice on inclusive democracy， and has grown to become one of our best policy-minded speakers focused on racial justice。When Demos announced that McGhee would be moving on from her role as a day-to-day executive at the organization to move into a space more aligned with her I am a long time admirer and follower of Heather McGhee and her work at Demos。 I regularly interact with Demos' work， and was not surprised by McGhee's elevated public persona over the past five or so years。 She is a singular voice on inclusive democracy， and has grown to become one of our best policy-minded speakers focused on racial justice。When Demos announced that McGhee would be moving on from her role as a day-to-day executive at the organization to move into a space more aligned with her new public identity， I was excited to see what she did next。 The Sum of Us is among the first projects she undertook in this more ambassadorial role， expanding her own skillset beyond the erudition of economics and legal policy as a storyteller and communicator。 The book is in some ways McGhee's "coming out story" as she moves on from Demos and goes on a self-described journey across America to get a better understanding of a zero-sum theory of racial progress。McGhee has gone most viral online thanks to her compassion and capacity for difficult conversations; the clip that most comes to mind is McGhee answering a question from a CSPAN viewer on how he can best combat his own racism as a white person。 McGhee has been vocal about how transformative this conversation was for her and has even traveled to meet this viewer and have a deeper conversation。 This book seems to be born from that interaction， with an emphasis on how we can move on from racial resentment and make progress on racial justice as a means to lifting all disadvantaged persons， regardless of color。 As a result， the book is written with a particular audience in mind。 The Sum of Us fits well in the modern collection of books and studies for white readers who want to learn more about the history of American racism and how to be anti-racist。 These readers typically have a more shallow understanding of the subject matter， and McGhee does a good job of providing a primer on bigger issues that intersect with racial justice， with each chapter essentially focusing on a policy area （environmental justice， healthcare， housing， labor， etc。） and pointing to a potential reading list for an audience that may want to delve deeper into each topic。 I was not surprised to see Robin DiAngelo come up a number of times。 DiAngelo's book， White Fragility， has become incredibly popular in the past year with white audiences， and I imagine that the publisher is hopeful to replicate that books success （as well as books from other authors like Michelle Alexander， Ibram Kendi， and Richard Rothstein， also name checked in The Sum of Us）。Central to McGhee's argument is that racial justice is good for all of us， and that we should abandon an American zero-sum theory of prosperity and embrace what she terms the solidarity dividend， wherein communities come together to advance similar priorities。 Her arguments are compelling -- so often throughout history white Americans have cut off their noses to spite their faces。 I found this most compelling in McGhee's discussion of labor union politics。 Throughout the book she effectively uses opinion polling to explain how white Americans once approved of certain policies that eventually went out of favor as Black Americans were granted access to goods and services under the law。 In regards to labor unions， McGhee found that public approval of unions were highest in 1959 but trended downward starting in the 60s during the civil rights era when big unions， like the United Auto Workers （UAW）， began advocating for civil rights and supporting like-minded Democratic Party candidates。 All of this in spite of the serious gains that labor unions were able to achieve for Black AND white workers， alike。 What has occurred in the intervening 60 years has been an erosion of labor rights by conservative actors at the expense of wages and protections for all workers。 It underscores her thesis in compelling fashion。In general， I found McGhee to be most comfortable and confident a writer in sections where she is using data， economics， and legal theory to support her thesis。 This is unsurprising considering her background in the think tank world。 As she shifts into this new role as a thought leader and communicator， putting on the hat of American sojourner and seeking truth from real Americans about the way policy affects them to the most， I found her to be mostly able but in select cases less convincing of her central argument。 Taking a more ethnographic approach in some parts provides a policy at play perspective that is helpful， but sometimes seems as though McGhee can't find the data she needs to support her thesis so she relies on anecdotes that make her point but may be less universal。。 While I share McGhee's belief in the policy prescriptions needed and the sentiment behind their incorporation （particularly moving are stories of privileged middle class parents putting their kids "Global Majority" schools - ie Black and brown， minority white schools）， these anecdotes don't serve or substantiate her argument alone。 This doesn't invalidate her thesis， but provides room for bad faith critics to poke holes in an overwhelmingly well reasoned book。。As I finished the Sum of Us I was heartened by McGhee's optimism that we can advance a truth， racial healing， and transformation movement in America。 We must reconcile our past and reimagine what it is to be American。 In many ways we have never lived up to ideal of our democracy， but we can get there by seeing the humanity in one another and working together as a community。 I look forward to seeing how others engage with this book and am excited to see what McGhee does next！Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC。 。。。more
Shomeret
，
Author Heather McGhee wants us to know that racist policies don't benefit anyone。 That's why she wrote The Sum of Us。 I downloaded it from Net Galley。 This book covers a variety of topics and provides historical perspective on each one。 I considered it thorough and insightful。McGhee argues that when racist whites are opposed to public services， it's not because they want smaller government。 It's because of their racism。 They don't want blacks to benefit。McGhee concludes that the strength of the Author Heather McGhee wants us to know that racist policies don't benefit anyone。 That's why she wrote The Sum of Us。 I downloaded it from Net Galley。 This book covers a variety of topics and provides historical perspective on each one。 I considered it thorough and insightful。McGhee argues that when racist whites are opposed to public services， it's not because they want smaller government。 It's because of their racism。 They don't want blacks to benefit。McGhee concludes that the strength of the United States is in its diversity。 If we capitalize on it， we can become the nation we were meant to be。 For me， this is self-evident， but there are those for whom it is not。For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked。blogspot。com/2。。。 。。。more
Vanessa
，
This book is brilliant。 Written by an economist， this tells the story of the price we all pay for racism in our country。 Instead of being full of numbers， which you might expect， she uses stories of real people from a wide range of backgrounds to tell a cohesive story。 She covers everything from social programs to the environment。 It's compelling and incredibly easy to read。 I highly recommend it。I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 This book is brilliant。 Written by an economist， this tells the story of the price we all pay for racism in our country。 Instead of being full of numbers， which you might expect， she uses stories of real people from a wide range of backgrounds to tell a cohesive story。 She covers everything from social programs to the environment。 It's compelling and incredibly easy to read。 I highly recommend it。I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Robert Sullivan
，
This is a well researched and well written book about America's original sin - racism - and the costs it exacts on all of us。 Balanced between personal stories and historical/political research， it explains the background of our current inequality， the damaging effects of white supremacy on white people as well as on people of color， and the benefits of working together。 McGhee tells a complicated story in a very readable way， with a measured and hopeful tone。It would be critical reading at any This is a well researched and well written book about America's original sin - racism - and the costs it exacts on all of us。 Balanced between personal stories and historical/political research， it explains the background of our current inequality， the damaging effects of white supremacy on white people as well as on people of color， and the benefits of working together。 McGhee tells a complicated story in a very readable way， with a measured and hopeful tone。It would be critical reading at any time， but in the current environment it is even more urgent。 。。。more
Jenni
，
This was absolutely phenomenal。 While this definitely took me a while to read， it was worth it to take the time to dig into the numerous topics McGhee discusses here including the rising costs of higher education， the affordable housing crisis， the defunding of public K-12 education， and pollution and climate change。 Interweaving McGhee's personal experiences and projects with Demos， a progressive economic think tank; interviews with Americans from across the country and from all walks-of-life; This was absolutely phenomenal。 While this definitely took me a while to read， it was worth it to take the time to dig into the numerous topics McGhee discusses here including the rising costs of higher education， the affordable housing crisis， the defunding of public K-12 education， and pollution and climate change。 Interweaving McGhee's personal experiences and projects with Demos， a progressive economic think tank; interviews with Americans from across the country and from all walks-of-life; and extensive historical and sociological research， McGhee unpacks the myth of the"Zero-Sum Theory"--that white people somehow will be negatively affected by racial economic and social equity--and makes a clear case for the necessity of reinvigorating governmental social services and other public goods。 McGhee also reminds the reader， and Americans at large， of the value of community and of showing care for one another， which is a message I always appreciate hearing。I do think that those that are well-versed in arguments for racial equity through policy changes may not find this to be ground-breaking， but I think the personal anecdotes and the passion McGhee writes with make this a valuable contribution to this growing body of nonfiction。Thank you to One World （Random House） for providing me with a free early e-copy of this work through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。 The Sum of Us is out this coming Tuesday， February 16。 。。。more
Kimba Tichenor
，
A thought-provoking read that will make you rethink everything that you thought you knew about racism。Heather McGhee， political commentator and former President of Demos （a progressive think tank） has written a book with a deceptively simple premise: Racism costs everyone。 The harm that racism does society， while disproportionately affecting people of color， also harms working- and middle-class white people。 Sadly， too many white Americans have fallen for the lie propagated by wealthy white elit A thought-provoking read that will make you rethink everything that you thought you knew about racism。Heather McGhee， political commentator and former President of Demos （a progressive think tank） has written a book with a deceptively simple premise: Racism costs everyone。 The harm that racism does society， while disproportionately affecting people of color， also harms working- and middle-class white people。 Sadly， too many white Americans have fallen for the lie propagated by wealthy white elites that if a minority group makes gains， it is at the expense of the dominant white race。 The success of this zero-sum paradigm has resulted in a large portion of white Americans voting against their own best political and economic interests。 As a result， the gap between the haves and have notes in this United States has skyrocketed since the 1980s; today， nearly two dozen companies have CEO-to-worker pay gaps of over 1。0000 to 1 and the richest 1 percent owns as much wealth as the entire middle class。 To show how this economic disparity arose， the McGhee documents multiple instances in the twentieth and twenty-first century in which racism diminished the lives of all Americans， including the mass closure of public swimming pools by states in the 1950s and 1960s to avoid federal laws requiring integration， the American Medical Association’s communist fear-mongering campaign in the 1950s to block Truman’s efforts to pass universal healthcare legislation， the subprime banking crisis in 2007， and the current Covid-19 pandemic。This story of the disempowerment of working- and middle-class America can only be overcome， she concludes if we: 1） Recognize that we have reached the productive and moral limit of the zero-sum economic model that had driven US history from its inception。 2） Establish a social safety net for all， not one limited to any one racial or ethnic group 3） Accept that although racism has hurt all， it has disproportionately hurt persons of color; this means we must accept that there are different levels of need in different communities and address those needs accordingly。 One size does not fit all。 4） Realize that we do in fact need each other， that is replace the zero-sum mentality with one of solidarity and 5） we must write a shared history that is not based on myths and lies。I would like to thank the publisher， the author， and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review。 。。。more
Jade
，