The Next Big Idea Daily
S34 E4: "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together" by Heather McGhee
Sep 28, 2023
Heather McGhee discusses racism as the core dysfunction of our democracy and the economic impact it has in the US. She explores discriminatory practices during the New Deal-era, the racial economic divide, and introduces the concept of solidarity dividends.
15:18
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Quick takeaways
- Racism in the US has created a zero-sum mindset that hinders beneficial policies and enables wealthy interests to set the rules.
- Government investment in the public good has declined as civil rights demands for equal opportunities grew, leading to inequality and economic policies favoring the top 1%.
Deep dives
The Cost of Racism on American Society
The podcast explores how racism in the US has led to a zero-sum mindset that hinders the implementation of beneficial policies for all Americans. The racial division in communities has weakened collective action, enabling wealthy interests to set the rules. This zero-sum mentality was historically driven by the belief that progress for people of color would come at the expense of white people. Examining examples like the rejection of a union by workers at a Nissan auto factory and the closure of public swimming pools in Montgomery, Alabama, the podcast underscores how racial divisions have perpetuated economic inequalities.
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