You’re invited to read and discuss the first Antiracist Book Club selection of the 2023-24 academic year.
The reading for Blocks 2 and 3 is The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee. This book is a groundbreaking exploration of the zero-sum paradigm which drives economic inequality and has its origin with the establishment of racial hierarchy during colonialism, fueling individual, organizational, and systemic racism. McGhee argues that the zero-sum paradigm, which once served the economic interest of whites, no longer benefits anyone in society except the very wealthy. For example, most people making under $15 an hour are white. Most people without health care are white. We all live under the same sky and are all vulnerable to climate change. McGhee lays bare uncomfortable truths about race, slavery, the American academy, economic policies, and the waning of public goods.
The Antiracist Book Club is meant to be self-led and asynchronous. We encourage you to create space to discuss these books and their topics in the spaces you already inhabit (e.g., department meetings, athletics teams, student clubs/organizations, etc.) at your own pace.
Check out our webpage on upcoming readings for this year.
Happy reading!
Peony Fhagen
Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity & Belonging
Ersaleen Hope
Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity & Belonging
Rosalie Rodriguez
Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity & Belonging
Crystal Cravens
ADEI Programs Coordinator