53 pages • 1 hour read
Heather McGheeThe Sum of Us
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee explores how racism detrimentally affects all Americans, not just the directly marginalized. Drawing on travels across the U.S., McGhee details the widespread impact of racial hierarchies ingrained in economics and policy, from public pool closures to reduced public benefits. Ultimately, she argues that dismantling these hierarchies is beneficial for everyone, fostering a fairer society. Topics include racial violence, systemic inequality, and environmental racism.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Heather McGhee's The Sum of Us is widely praised for its insightful examination of how racism negatively impacts both people of color and white individuals in the U.S. Critics commend McGhee's thorough research and compelling storytelling. Some, however, find the book's solutions idealistic and lacking practical application. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and important read.
Who Should Read The Sum of Us?
Readers of The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee are socially conscious individuals interested in racial and economic justice. They appreciate works like Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow and Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me. Ideal for those who seek insightful analyses of societal structures and collective well-being.