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raichoreads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This book is highly informative and I found very helpful in thinking about how to talk about systemic racism and its impacts with some of my white peers and loved ones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
allena_inwonderland's review against another edition
5.0
The Sum of Us touches on how racism effects all of us.
How we as white people can and should acknowledge the racism our neighbors, coworkers, and community are facing.
Without the work together bipoc's are already continuously in a battle for equal rights alone. EX: housing rates & interest, equal pay, voting rights, school districts and colleges.
Heather McGee also brings up how there's always a "one up" concept between racial groups. Specifically speaking white people thinking POC should be beneath them. One should always make more while the other is poorer, because that would make it easier for the other to live. It's a zero-sum paradigm.
During the strike to raise minimum wage it was black people who encouraged other poc's to fight along side them. $7.50 is unlivable, how could anyone feed themselves let alone a family?
I think everyone should read this book. I learned a lot, especially about the 08 recession. (I was a kid)
I also enjoyed the audio book hearing Heather herself speak from experience and own research.
How we as white people can and should acknowledge the racism our neighbors, coworkers, and community are facing.
Without the work together bipoc's are already continuously in a battle for equal rights alone. EX: housing rates & interest, equal pay, voting rights, school districts and colleges.
Heather McGee also brings up how there's always a "one up" concept between racial groups. Specifically speaking white people thinking POC should be beneath them. One should always make more while the other is poorer, because that would make it easier for the other to live. It's a zero-sum paradigm.
During the strike to raise minimum wage it was black people who encouraged other poc's to fight along side them. $7.50 is unlivable, how could anyone feed themselves let alone a family?
I think everyone should read this book. I learned a lot, especially about the 08 recession. (I was a kid)
I also enjoyed the audio book hearing Heather herself speak from experience and own research.
powersureater's review against another edition
informative
4.0
I am so glad that Yasna said let’s read the book instead of listening to the TED talk because the chapters went into so much depth on each topic.
I did find it hard to read at first (for the 4 chapters w info) but it could have just been a non-fiction thing rather the book itself. Heather does put a lot of effort into adding anecdotes and personal stories into the discussions, and while they could be weaved together a bit more smoothly, I get that this is an informative book first.
The points made were great and I was able to learn a lot. Some of the statistics were shocking and definitely spurred a lot of thought. Some sections were harder to grasp than others (one of the earlier chapters went into political history following those in power and their policies which was extremely difficult to follow given the expectation that the reader have prior knowledge on America’s political landscape but the chapter on voting was much easier to understand despite them being different sides of the same coin) but would recommend for anyone interested!
I did find it hard to read at first (for the 4 chapters w info) but it could have just been a non-fiction thing rather the book itself. Heather does put a lot of effort into adding anecdotes and personal stories into the discussions, and while they could be weaved together a bit more smoothly, I get that this is an informative book first.
The points made were great and I was able to learn a lot. Some of the statistics were shocking and definitely spurred a lot of thought. Some sections were harder to grasp than others (one of the earlier chapters went into political history following those in power and their policies which was extremely difficult to follow given the expectation that the reader have prior knowledge on America’s political landscape but the chapter on voting was much easier to understand despite them being different sides of the same coin) but would recommend for anyone interested!
mrsmobarak's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
mayawinshell's review against another edition
5.0
devoured this in 5 days— so well-written and well-researched, so down to earth and sensitive, equally journalistic and personal; read like an epic, filled me with rage and despair and also hope and a belief in the possibility a better world…. highly, highly recommend. NUANCE
mohekki's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Fantastic book. A must read for every American adult and even teen!
ridanwise's review against another edition
5.0
A piece of sneaky literature. It begins as a slice of social commentary and morality before quickly transcending into one of the most significant books on modern American socio-economic politics.
If you ever caught yourself looking at this country, taking a deep breath, and wondering "Just what the fuck is up with us...?" McGhee beat you to the answer, and you owe it to yourself to listen to her.
If you ever caught yourself looking at this country, taking a deep breath, and wondering "Just what the fuck is up with us...?" McGhee beat you to the answer, and you owe it to yourself to listen to her.