The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee - 4 stars

[Robin P]

The author asks about the U.S. - "Why can't we have nice things?" - things that much of the world has like universal healthcare, childcare and family leave, low cost higher education, a more egalitarian society, nicer amenities in our towns. The answer, time after time, is racism. People will forgo pleasures and necessities rather than accept the idea that "those people" might share them. For instance, when towns were ordered to desegregate swimming pools, they closed them and filled them in rather than share. Private all-white clubs sprang up. White people of limited means were also deprived by this. McGhee also talks about the negative effects of white children growing up in monolithic environments with no multicultural understanding and a sense of entitlement and resentment of strangers. This is an excellent book for the general public.

[Peacejanz]

Great review. Thanks for posting. peace, janz

[Susan]

Thanks for your review. I'm not a non fiction reader but I'm slowly making my way through this one. There is interesting material here.