"It's often unconscious, but their perception of the other as undeserving is so important to their perception of themselves as deserving that they'll tear apart the web that supports everyone, including them."
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I learned so much about the history of systemic and intentional institutional racism from reading this book. Most of the history McGhee reviews was never taught in any level of US schooling I've received. She made excellent use of the anecdotes of personal stories/interviews alongside major policy shifts. This helped to ground very weighty concepts in an understandable everyday life.

McGhee also consistently reminded the reader of the potential for change, and that it's the only rational choice. Her acknowledgment that the zero-sum game was designed as much to repress the non-elite white Americans as the other was spot on, and grounded in facts that are indisputable. This helped me to better understand and confront some of the belief systems that a US education/indoctrination tried to ingrain in me.

I feel like this is an incredibly important work and should be required reading for all high school/college-age students.