From MIT Press:
“The Myth That Made Us exposes how false narratives—of a
supposedly post-racist nation, of the self-made man, of the primacy of
profit- and shareholder value-maximizing for businesses, and of minimal
government interference—have been used to excuse gross inequities and to
shape and sustain the US economic system that delivers them. Jeff Fuhrer argues that systemic racism continues to produce vastly disparate
outcomes and that our brand of capitalism favors doing little to reduce
disparities. Evidence from other developed capitalist economies shows
it doesn’t have to be that way. We broke this (mean-spirited) economy.
We can fix it.”
“Rather than merely laying blame at the feet of both conservatives and
liberals for aiding and abetting an unjust system, Fuhrer charts a way
forward. He supplements evidence from data with insights from community
voices and outlines a system that provides more equal opportunity to
accumulate both human and financial capital. His key areas of focus
include universal access to high-quality early childhood education; more
effective use of our community college system as a pathway to stable
employment; restructuring key aspects of the low-wage workplace;
providing affordable housing and transit links; supporting people of
color by serving as mentors, coaches, and allies; and implementing Baby
Bonds and Reparations programs to address the accumulated loss of wealth
among Black people due to the legacy of enslavement and institutional
discrimination. Fuhrer emphasizes embracing humility, research-based
approaches, and community involvement as ways to improve economic
opportunity.”