The Sum of Us (Adapted for Young Readers)

Starred review from November 1, 2022
An emphatically all-American guide to the high cost of racism--with a hopeful path forward. In this condensed version of her 2021 adult original, South Side of Chicago native McGhee explores the toll racial injustice past and present takes on the life of every American. She compiles her work--half investigative journalism, half master class in sociopolitical research--in this accessible, abridged (but no less intellectual) volume. McGhee delves deeply into the zero-sum ideologies that are rooted in this nation's origin story and underpin how freedoms were first conceived in direct relation to the enslavement of Africans, convincing many White Americans that Black and brown suffering was requisite to White success. A wide array of first-person accounts framed by quantitative data and McGhee's own experiences as president of a noted research and advocacy think tank make for compelling storytelling about a tradition of White supremacy compromising all corners of public, private, and political life, from education to health care. The central argument of the book, however, is that our understanding of key social justice concepts is limited: We tend not to recognize that while racism is demonstrably and violently harmful to non-White people, it also results in White Americans' suffering in marked and measurable ways. McGhee challenges many strongly held narratives; ultimately, with its tangible takeaways, this offering is optimistically forward looking and grounded in solidarity. Of great value to anyone who values straight-to-the-point, thorough writing on race in America. (link to references) (Nonfiction. 13-18)

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Starred review from January 1, 2023
Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* "Why can't we have nice things?" asks McGhee in this adaption of her New York Times best-seller, also longlisted for the National Book Award. By "nice things," she means affordable health care, great public schools in every neighborhood, livable wages, and debt-free college education, and by "we," she means all Americans, regardless of class or race. To answer this question, the author traveled across the country to explore the racially divisive "us versus them," or "zero sum," logic driving the question. Poignant research and interviews reveal devastating examples, such as segregated swimming pools closed to entire communities rather than allowing Black swimmers, predatory mortgage lending, voter suppression, hospital closures, and denied Medicaid. While the initiative behind these calamities is often racially motivated, McGhee found that white people lost more benefits in the process. Short histories on the slavery system, the original Constitution, and other forms of racism give teen readers relevant background knowledge to understand the zero-sum hierarchies throughout. In her travels, the author also found hopeful accounts of "solidarity dividends," or gains made when people worked collectively across race. After challenging readers to rethink their understanding of race, she concludes with strategies on how communities can prosper together and aim for a solidarity dividend. A thought-provoking next read after Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped (2020).

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from September 15, 2023

Gr 5 Up-Racism harms not only those directly targeted by it, but in fact harms all of us: that is the thesis offered by longtime policy advocate McGhee in this expertly abridged edition of the eponymous, critically acclaimed bestseller. McGhee walks readers through this worldview concept by concept, examining different facets of American society in which it is starkly apparent that zero-sum, "us versus them" racism enacted in the interest of white supremacy leads to concrete and drastic losses for all, not just the minoritized and marginalized. Topics covered are extensive, including the abandonment of public utilities, limiting access to funding for higher education and affordable health care, the construction and implementation of drug laws, real estate policy, environmental policy, and much more. Throughout, McGhee makes the case for her readers to seek out "solidarity dividends" or the societal benefits that are reaped by all when progress is achieved and applied equitably, providing examples of proven successes and opportunities to break the mold. Back matter includes a thorough index and a link to supplemental references. VERDICT Concisely and bitingly written with broad appeal and usefulness to researchers and general readers alike. A first and necessary purchase.-Darla Salva Cruz

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