The Sum of Us

The Sum of Us is a book we have been waiting for! Author Heather McGhee presents an insightful analysis of how racism harms both white and non-white Americans. The author begins by exploring the post-civil rights era, where the notorious "drained pool policies" were implemented. These referred to the abandonment of public pools, which were once deemed essential for communities. However, instead of allowing integration, lawmakers resorted to draining the pools entirely to avoid allowing Black and Brown communities the same privileges as their white counterparts. Heather McGhee shows how such policies not only deprived minority populations of vital public spaces but also hurt white communities. McGhee also provides examples of how we can work together across differences to achieve a “solidarity dividend” in our communities, winning improvements for all community members in important areas like education, economic prosperity, environmental health, and civic life.