How Racism Costs Everyone

Heather McGhee, author of *The Sum of Us*, discusses the zero-sum lie, the idea that progress for people of color comes at the expense of white people, and its historical roots in the United States. McGhee argues this false narrative has been used to undermine public goods and economic solidarity. She points to the draining of public swimming pools rather than integrating them as a metaphor for this phenomenon. McGhee also highlights how the zero-sum story is interwoven with the economic narrative, benefiting millionaires and billionaires who want to maintain the status quo. Despite the administration's efforts to erase history, McGhee remains optimistic due to young people's access to information and their understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion.