Ideas worth spreading

Racism has a cost for everyone

2,581,882 views |

Heather C. McGhee |

TEDWomen 2019

• December 2019

Racism makes our economy worse -- and not just in ways that harm people of color, says public policy expert Heather C. McGhee. From her research and travels across the US, McGhee shares startling insights into how racism fuels bad policymaking and drains our economic potential -- and offers a crucial rethink on what we can do to create a more prosperous nation for all. "Our fates are linked," she says. "It costs us so much to remain divided."

Racism makes our economy worse -- and not just in ways that harm people of color, says public policy expert Heather C. McGhee. From her research and travels across the US, McGhee shares startling insights into how racism fuels bad policymaking and drains our economic potential -- and offers a crucial rethink on what we can do to create a more prosperous nation for all. "Our fates are linked," she says. "It costs us so much to remain divided."

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Stay up-to-date with Heather C. McGhee.

About the speaker

Heather C. McGhee

Heather C. McGhee

Writer, advocate

See speaker profile

Heather C. McGhee designs and promotes solutions to inequality in America, showing what individuals, governments and the private sector can do to help the country live up to its ideals.

Heather C. McGhee | One World / Random House, 2020 | Book

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together

Pre-order Heather's upcoming book, a powerful new exploration into the self-destructive bargain of racism and its rising cost to all of us (including white people), from one of today's most insightful and influential thinkers.

CityLab | Princeton University, 2020 | Article

"What Mike Bloomberg Got Wrong About Redlining and the Financial Crisis"

Further reading on race and the subprime crisis.

All Things Considered | NPR, 2007 | Listen

"Plunging into Public Pools' Contentious Past"

Further reading/listening on the loss of integrated public pools.

Ani Turner | Altarum Institute, 2013 | Article

"The business case for racial equity"

Further reading on the economic benefits of racial equity.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Stay up-to-date with Heather C. McGhee.