The Sum of Us

McGhee describes herself as an optimistic person who believes that solutions can be found to America’s longstanding problems. Cite three of these problems and describe how people are responding to them, examining how they’re overcoming racial divisions to do so.

In Chapter 4 McGhee notes that while the average white family had nearly $200,000 in wealth in 2016, the average Black family had only $17,600. Describe how this disparity was created by racism, citing examples of specific government policies.

Throughout the book McGhee refers to the influence of racial resentment—the idea that Black people are getting more than they deserve from the government—as motivating many white people’s attitudes toward government intervention. Describe how racial resentment has shaped public policy, according to McGhee, using three examples from the text.

At several points throughout the book, McGhee describes how, in a divided America, the only people who benefit from divisions are the elites. Discuss three instances in which wealthy individuals, organizations, or corporations used racism to advance their own interests.

McGhee asserts that when it comes to climate change, “we live under the same sky” (205). Describe how this framing can be applied to racism in general, citing examples from different parts of the book.

McGhee writes that for white people aware of the existence of racism, “it can cause contradictions and justifications, feelings of guilt, shame, projection, resentment, and denial” (222). How do stereotypes allow white people to escape these feelings, and how does McGhee think these narratives can be overcome?

Describe how the zero-sum hierarchy has undermined support for unions in America, and how the Fight for $15 challenged this framing.

At various points in the book, McGhee describes how contemporary issues in America date back to the country’s birth. Identify three instances where racism began with the founding of America, and describe how this creates issues in the present day.