Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

It‘s a beautiful day to sit outside and read!

Starting my #BookSpin from my Black History Month board - hoping my recently (mildly) concussed head can handle it. 😅

SpellboundReader I hope you're feeling better now. 🤕 (edited) 10mo

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Hello #SheSaid!

How is everyone doing this week?

How is the book going? I‘m catching up slowly, but surely…

So far it‘s a great read, covering so much in each chapter. I‘m also seeing a few great books I‘ve read referenced. If you haven‘t read the Color of Law or The New Jim Crow, read them, they are great works. I‘ve also added Democracy in Chains and White Fragility to my to-read list. How about you? ⤵️

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ What‘s sticking out for you so far, no matter how far along you are in the book? I know I wasn‘t the only one behind this month. 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks @MilesnMelodies @Deblovestoread @willaful ⤵️ 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl @wanderinglynn @TheKidUpstairs @charl08 As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you! 🤪 1y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘ll tag a few of the books I‘ve noticed mentioned….

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colourblindness

1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America

1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America

1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism

(edited) 1y

staci.reads I finished up yesterday. The last few chapters tied everything together nicely, but again, much of it was a retread of concepts from books we've read previously. Her "five discoveries" are also not new, but I believe her attempt to take a massively unwieldy topic down to the core of "what next." I do like the term "solidarity dividend" (not sure if she coined it) because it gives a name to her overarching premise. 1y

staci.reads I also loved her repeated question "Who is an American, and what are we to one another?" Powerful. 1y

staci.reads Btw, my hardcover did not have an "Afterward," which I see was part of this week's reading, so I'll be interested to hear from others about what I missed ? 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @staci.reads I‘ll let you know when I get there. And yes, for this one there seem to be 3 versions available to people. One with an afterwards, one without, and I know a few people could only get the adapted for younger readers at their library, so I‘d love to know how that differed too (edited) 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @staci.reads Some did seem to be a retread for this group… but I think that‘s both good and bad. For some that only read this, they‘ll get a great summary of a lot of issues & backgrounds. For me, it did review some things I‘ve read, but still had enough new and reminded me of things that had slipped to the background, so I still found it a worthwhile read. Although each chapter is so jam-packed that I think that might be why I‘m plodding ⤵️ (edited) 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Through and pausing often…to absorb and process. 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @staci.reads The Afterwards talks about the insurrection on January 6th. She talks about how it reminded her of a different one she had referenced earlier in the book, and how again, it comes down to some votes should be counted more/worth more in their eyes, because those “others” MUST BE fraudulent. 1y

staci.reads @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thanks for that follow up! I definitely see why she would want to add an afterward after Jan. 6th. 1y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Those are some insane numbers…that 1.2 percent of the population is funding 71% of all campaigns

…which really means that 1.2% of the population is getting 71% of governments ear and policy writing time and legislation written in their favor.🤯

About 158 families are making the decisions for a whole nation. No wonder they don‘t get issues like universal health care or minimum livable wages… they don‘t have any experience with most of those.

TheBookHippie Why the fight for “trickle down” economics really began in earnest with Regan - to do this 😵‍💫 1y

LitStephanie Yes, I wish we had publicly funded elections. 1y

33 likes2 comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Hello #SheSaid

How are you this weekend?

I‘m still running behind in my reading, how is everyone else doing this week. Starting to catch up?

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks @MilesnMelodies @Deblovestoread @willaful ⤵️ 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl @wanderinglynn @TheKidUpstairs @charl08 As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you! 🤪 1y

MallenNC I am still behind too. The book is great but my work gets really busy in August so I haven‘t been able to focus as much as I think this one deserves. I am still working through it though! 1y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MallenNC I don‘t know what my reason is 😂 just trying to get more done outside as it gets cooler in the evenings I think, so less couch reading time maybe. 🤷‍♀️. We‘ll both get there. 1y

MallenNC @Riveted_Reader_Melissa It happens! I think too that I don‘t want to rush through this one to catch up. Some books I don‘t mind skimming. Enjoy the outdoors when you can. We had a great weather day yesterday below 85 for much of the day and low humidity after a lot of 90s/100s. 1y

staci.reads I finally am caught up! Some of this is review of other reads, but she digs in with a lot of detail and cites some really infuriating examples to illustrate her point. As an educator, the chapter on segregated schools spoke to me, and I appreciated her focus on how the segregation harms us all. 1y

staci.reads I do appreciate her premise, explaining how the zero sum ideology is so flawed, but I'm also frustrated that someone would have to point out the harm racism and racist policies do to white people to make a convincing argument for some people. 1y

staci.reads I found her chapter on unions fascinating. Following the progression of American attitudes toward labor unions and how they have shifted so drastically was eye opening. 1y

staci.reads And the examples of ridiculous voter registration laws 🤬 ok, my goal is to ready Sunday for the final section 😁 1y

Caroline2 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Hey Melissa. Would you mind removing me from the tag list please as I won‘t be joining in this readalong. Thanks. 1y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Hello #SheSaid!

How are you this weekend? I finally got my library book yesterday and have just started it, so I‘m way behind. Sorry again, my apologies. But please carry on without me….what I‘ve read so far is very good, and hopefully I‘ll finish our first week‘s section later today and can comment on that post.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks @MilesnMelodies @Deblovestoread @willaful ⤵️ 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl @wanderinglynn @TheKidUpstairs @charl08 As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you! 🤪 1y

willaful I'm afraid I'm also still behind -- it's fascinating but not exactly an easy read. The chapter on all the pool closures was pretty devastating. Such an important public good... I can't imagine my teen life without our public pool. And it continues to be the same story about so many things. Kind of makes me feel despairing, tbh. 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @willaful right, it‘s depressing in so many ways. I knew about the pool story, but for some reason my brain filed it under 1 pool somewhere, bad people…not a systematic country-wide pools everywhere closer. It just goes to show, for me, how even just telling the stories is not the same as really learning our real history….which we as a country (and society) seem dead set against doing. 1y

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willaful

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

“At the spiritual level, Yavilah believes, racism interrupts the human connection with the divine.“ pg. 251

13 likes

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Hello #SheSaid!

I‘m still waiting for my library book, I might have to cave and buy this one. How is it so far?

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks @MilesnMelodies @Deblovestoread @willaful ⤵️ 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl @wanderinglynn @TheKidUpstairs @charl08 As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you! 🤪 1y

willaful I just read the introduction and am so intrigued. I think she's put her finger on something very important here and I'd love to know more about how to get the idea across more.

(May not read more today because it's on my phone and I loathe reading on my phone. But I have the print book waiting at the library for me.) 1y

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MallenNC I‘m a little behind too but I am liking the book. She‘s an engaging writer and she‘s making good points. 1y

staci.reads I haven't gotten started on it yet, but I'll dive in this week and be ready for next Sunday! 1y

mhillis My library had the young adult version available so I got that!! 1y

ncsufoxes I‘ve had this book sitting on my shelf for a while so I‘m happy to finally be reading it. So far I really like it. It explains so much about American society. Why I always want to scream, how could you be voting against your best interests. Research shows there‘s a reason why, no big surprise racism is behind it. It is really interesting. She does a really nice job of breaking down time points in American history that have lead us to where we are 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m behind but really enjoying the points she is making. The pool example was one I knew of, but I had no idea how widespread and over-arching it was. I think I heard it as a single incident story, not a pools everywhere story. By the end I couldn‘t help think of the stereotype that some people can‘t swim… 🙄 and how that stereotype is so much more loaded than I realized. 1y

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LitsyEvents

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Repost for @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Up next for #SheSaid! I‘m looking forward to this one, hope my library hold comes in soon!

Original post - https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2617599

fredthemoose Great book! 1y

GingerAntics This has been on my bookshelf for ages. 1y

Kimberlone I haven‘t participated in months but I might be persuaded to a reread (listen?) of this! 1y

46 likes3 comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Up next for #SheSaid! I‘m looking forward to this one, hope my library hold comes in soon!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tenar @vlwelser @KVanRead @SamAnne @Julsmarshall @arlenefinnigan @Chab256 @Scochrane26 @CoffeeK8. @MallenNC @Caroline2 @DebinHawaii @Currey @Augustdana @Suet624 @Singout @mhillis @megnews @Jgotham @AnneCecilie @kspenmoll @staci.reads @AllDebooks @MilesnMelodies @Deblovestoread ⤵️ 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ @Smrloomis @KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @bibliobliss @JenlovesJT47 @Karisa @fredthemoose @Christine @mandarchy @rjsthumbelina @Tera66 @Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @MoonWitch94 @sabyym @ncsufoxes @Readergrrl @wanderinglynn @TheKidUpstairs @charl08 As always if anyone would like added or removed from this tag list, please just let me know. And if you asked and I forgot, please remind me. Thank you! 🤪 1y

vlwelser That is such an awesome book. 1y

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MallenNC I have this book already and am looking forward to reading it! 1y

AnneCecilie I‘m also waiting on the library 1y

AllDebooks I've got a copy and am good to go 😊 1y

fredthemoose Great book! 1y

willaful Add me please, though it may take a few days for me to get it. 1y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @willaful I will, glad to have you join us! 1y

41 likes9 comments

Amie

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

pick

Good book with important information, but hard to read about all the terrible things people do because of racism and hate and the damage it causes, both immediate and long-term. The author tried to end things on a hopeful note, but it's really hard to feel hopeful sometimes given the state of things right now.

slategreyskies Agreed. 3y

38 likes1 comment

WanderingBookaneer

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

A mother talking about an affluent school with mostly white students. This resonated with me as Glori and I used to work in such a school. We left because I was disgusted with the school culture.

42 likes

WanderingBookaneer

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Loooong paragraph about a study on the zero-sum mindset.

37 likes

WanderingBookaneer

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Stacking! 3y

34 likes2 stack adds1 comment

WanderingBookaneer

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

I did not know that!

30 likes

WanderingBookaneer

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

“It turns out the average white person views racism as a zero sum game, added Sommers. “If things are getting better for Black people, it must be at the expense of white people.“

mcctrish The average white person is an asshole if this is the case 😬😢 3y

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lowellette

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

pick

Important reading: The wealthy use race wars to keep their power. Here‘s how they have been doing it on multiple issues. Now, let‘s band together and topple their ivory towers.

6 likes

Pedrocamacho

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

pick

This is an important book. McGhee has given me a lot to think about and a new lens with which to do it. I‘d heard Heather McGhee speak a number of times since the release of her book, but didn‘t find it in any way repetitive.

13 likes3 stack adds

GingerAntics

Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together | Heather McGhee

I forget who posted about this, if it was part of a list maybe, but it sounded so good. This might be the first book I‘ve bought this year, that was published this year.
#HeatherMcGhee #TheSumOfUs

15 likes2 stack adds

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