OERJ Book Highlights
Zero-sum thinking The idea that progress for some of us must come at the expense of others. McGhee traveled across the country tallying up what we lose when we buy into the zero-sum paradigm. She argues that “the racial zero-sum story is resurgent because there is a political movement invested in ginning up white resentment toward lateral scapegoats (similarly or worse-situated people of color) to escape accountability for a massive redistribution of wealth from the many to the few” (McGhee, p.30)
Draining public swimming pools McGhee uses the example of numerous cities in the mid-twentieth century —including Chicago— draining and filling in their public pools rather than allowing Black residents to swim alongside white residents to illustrate how racism caused the destruction of something that could have benefitted all residents. This “zero-sum thinking” (we’d rather have NO pool than an integrated pool) is a key theme throughout the book. Further, the draining of public pools becomes a metaphor McGhee uses throughout the book to explain the countless examples (e.g., health care system, welfare system, public schools, student debt, etc.) of government institutions and elected officials weakening public goods to the point where everyone, except for the ultra-wealthy, are living at the bottom of a drained pool.
Solidarity Dividend McGhee coined the phrase “The Solidarity Dividend” to describe Americans reaching across racial lines to work together for the common good—and securing better lives for us all. McGhee argues that until we destroy the idea of zero–sum thinking, opponents of progress can always unearth it and use it to block any collective action that benefits us all. If we want to improve the lives of all, the fastest way to get there is to refill the pool of public goods.
