Tracie McMillan is a renowned investigative journalist who has been reporting on the multiracial American working class for more than two decades. McMillan’s new book, THE WHITE BONUS: Five Families and the Cash Value of Racism in America, combines rigorous journalism with a vulnerable, probing memoir. In it, she poses an urgent question: If racism denies people of color so much, just how much does it give to white people—not in amorphous privilege, but in dollars and cents?
Tracy McMillan discusses THE WHITE BONUS.
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In her book The White Bonus, award-winning author and investigative journalist Tracie McMillan delves into racism and its impact on white Americans. Combining rigorous journalism with a personal memoir, McMillan poses the question of how much white Americans gain financially from racism rather than just focusing on the concept of privilege. She aims to shed light on the economic implications of racism and its effects on society.
McMillan, a white person who didn’t grow up with significant wealth, wanted to better understand the role of racism in her own life. She felt stuck when conversations about white privilege arose, as she didn’t fit the stereotype of a privileged person. She wanted to explore what being white meant for her and others like her beyond the discussions of racial and class privilege.
Furthermore, McMillan recognized the need for honest conversations about racism to dismantle it. She believes that racism is not only detrimental to people of color but also to the entire democracy. It erodes the safety net and worsens the lives of many, including white Americans. By understanding the benefits white individuals receive from racism, she hopes to expose its true cost to society.
Writing such a book was not without its challenges, especially during a time of heightened racial tension. McMillan acknowledges that as a white person, she didn’t face the same risks as people of color when tackling this subject. However, she wasn’t concerned about her career or reputation when she initially pitched the book. She received significant interest from publishers who recognized her work’s importance and potential impact.
“The White Bonus” provides a unique perspective on white resentment and poverty. McMillan explores the concept of the white bonus, which is a specific subset of white privilege. It refers to the financial advantages that white individuals receive due to white supremacy and discriminatory policies. This includes inherited wealth resulting from discriminatory mortgage lending, employment and housing discrimination, and other forms of systemic racism.
McMillan relied on personal connections, advocacy organizations, and professional contacts to gather information for her book. She interviewed a range of individuals who had experienced the white bonus firsthand. By incorporating personal narratives, she aimed to make the topic more relatable and tangible rather than abstract.
McMillan’s previous book, “The American Way of Eating,” also shaped her understanding of racism. While working undercover in various jobs within the food system, she confronted her own race and gender dynamics. This experience made her realize that white individuals are often shielded from acknowledging their race and the privileges associated with it.
“The White Bonus” is important for promoting deeper conversations about race and equity. McMillan’s exploration of the financial implications of racism allows readers to see tangible evidence of the advantages some white individuals receive. By self-instantiating the issues she discusses, she provides a relatable perspective that encourages readers to examine their biases and assumptions critically.
“The White Bonus” by Tracie McMillan offers a thought-provoking examination of the cash value of racism in America. Through her personal experiences and interviews with others, she illustrates how racism translates into financial advantages for white individuals. By shedding light on the economic implications of racism, McMillan aims to foster a deeper understanding of the true cost of discrimination in society.
