Book Club - The Conversation - Part 4 Prep

Book Club - The Conversation - Part 4 Prep

Benji Ballmer
Book Club

PART FOUR (Chapters 7-8)
Tuesday, May 4th 6:30pm-7:30pm

Join The Conversation on Zoom:

Access past sessions and view the schedule for upcoming Zoom book club meetings here > https://www.theyellowbirdtable.com/the-conversation


Pt. Four (5/4/21) Prep

Chapter Seven: Is Inequality Due to Racism or Race?
Chapter Eight: How Much Do White People Care About Race?

Introduction/Overview:

These were really interesting, and quite straightforward and objective. Also, had me asking many questions and/or feeling affirmed in ways that I didn’t know would be. Let’s dive in!

Chapter Seven: Is Inequality Due to Racism or Race?

  • Dr. Livingston breaks down these two very clearly and how they intertwine. Throughout this chapter, he speaks to the belief of inherent racial differences and anecdotal evidence supporting beliefs about inherent racial differences - essentialism and dehumanization (p. 101), specifically the dehumanization/barbarism of black people. And, how it’s long been believed that skin color is a biological determination in someone’s makeup.  The mere fact of placing them as subhuman and how that has implications down the line, including being subhuman/superhuman and even how black people are treated medically (p. 102-103). How did this make you feel or think about how this is put into practice?

  • He goes on to discuss how this (essentialization especially) has implications when it comes to developing competitive disadvantage (and how that is different from disability) and stereotypical threat (pg. 113). Let’s talk about this point.

  • Dr. Livingston says the recurring theme of his book is to differentiate between factual and emotional truth (p. 116). And, what the hopeful takeaway is from this chapter (p.117) and the paradigm shift that needs to occur. Do you agree, either way, why?  

Forum One: How to talk about the problem

Also,  did anyone read through Forum One - How to talk about the problem? I thought there were some great principles he made about how to put into practice what we’ve been reading so far, particularly starting on page 124 with the Rules Also, reference pages 134-137.

Chapter Eight: How Much Do White People Care About Race?

  • Dr. Livingston writes about indifference and complicity (p.145) about racism and how that plays to the thought process and behavior, especially being dismissive of something that doesn’t seem real or that applies (pg. 146). How would you describe this in your own thoughts or interactions that you have with others? Or, proliferated throughout our society and messaging? 

  • He applies this to how this is a construct of tribalism/group dynamics  and how white people respond to the division that the construct of race applies (pg. 149), particularly as it relates to self- interest, sharing, and cooperation preferences (pg. 151). He particularly breaks down the core of competitiveness and “proself” (p.152, 153, and 156). This stood out to me because it almost seemed to apply to different parts of life, specifically career/work life. What did you come away with from reading through this?

  • The ultimate takeaway from this chapter is on p.160, which can seem harsh, yet truthful. With this being the case, how, then, do we begin to answer the questions he’s posed at the end of this chapter (p.161)? Let’s discuss.


Pt. Four Meeting Resources

Box #18

Box #18
Box #17

Box #17