Zero-Sum Politics: Heather McGhee on How Racism Hurts Us All

<p>Heather McGhee has been in <a href="https://www.demos.org/heather-c-mcghee">public policy for the past 20 years</a>, largely focused on economics.  After nearly 16 years at Demos, a "think-and-do" tank, including four years as president, she realized that despite incredibly compelling economic research, at times, decision makers made decisions counter to what the best evidence showed.  She took a leave of absence as president, and embarked on a journey to try to answer a simple question - Why can't we have nice things?  We, being all Americans, and nice things being things that most developed nations have managed to provide for their people - health care, parental leave, a social safety net, and, of course, a good school in every neighborhood.   </p><p>Her journey took her across the country for conversations with all sorts of people, and led to the new book, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/18658/9780525509561">The Sum of Us</a>, which has been on the New York Times Bestseller's list since was released.  We are incredibly grateful to Heather McGhee for agreeing to come on the show in the midst of a serious promotional schedule.  We are also honored that Integrated Schools makes an appearance in the book.  </p><p><strong>LINKS:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/18658/9780525509561">The Sum Of Us</a></li><li>Our Bookshop.org <a href="https://bookshop.org/shop/IntegratedSchools">Storefront</a></li><li><a href="https://www.demos.org">Demos</a> - Public Policy "Think-and-Do" Tank<br />Ta-Nehesi Coats - <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/">The Case for Reparations</a></li><li><a href="https://drgailcchristopher.com">Dr. Gail Christopher</a></li><li><a href="https://healourcommunities.org">HealOurCommunities.org</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianpiper.com/rss/">Adrian Piper</a> - Conceptual Artist</li><li><a href="https://naacpldf.org/about-us/staff/sherrilyn-ifill/">Sherrilyn Ifill</a></li><li><a href="https://naacpldf.org">NAACP Legal