“Juneteenth.”

In 'The Sum of Us,' Heather McGhee explores the pervasive impact of racism on American society, arguing that it is a systemic issue that harms not only people of color but also white people. She documents how policies and practices rooted in racism have led to economic disparities, such as student debt, housing crises, and lack of accessible healthcare. McGhee also introduces the concept of the 'Solidarity Dividend,' which suggests that gains can be achieved when people come together across racial lines. Through personal stories, historical examples, and economic research, McGhee presents a compelling case for why addressing racism is essential for the prosperity of all Americans.

In this book, Michelle Alexander argues that the U.S. prison system has created a new racial caste system, where people of color are disproportionately incarcerated and disenfranchised. She examines the historical and contemporary factors contributing to this crisis and advocates for a more equitable justice system.

In 'The Warmth of Other Suns', Isabel Wilkerson provides a detailed historical account of the Great Migration, a movement of approximately six million African Americans from the Southern United States to the Midwest, Northeast, and West between 1915 and 1970. The book follows the lives of three primary subjects: Ida Mae Gladney, George Starling, and Robert Foster, illustrating the broader historical context of the migration. Wilkerson examines the social, economic, and political factors that drove this migration, including economic opportunities in Northern industrial cities, escape from Jim Crow laws and racial violence in the South, and the impact of World War I and II on labor demands. The book is notable for its blend of historical analysis and narrative storytelling, making complex historical events accessible through the personal and societal perspectives of those who lived through the Great Migration.