Office of Student Success, Equity and Innovation

2023-24 Common Read Writing Contest

The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee: Due by January 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. 

 

The Sum of Us – What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together written by Heather McGhee is this year’s Common Read for Cal Poly Pomona. McGhee’s book has been named one of the best books of the year by multiples newspapers and magazines and has gotten rave reviews.

This insightful and ultimately hopeful book explores powerful themes such as material legacy of slavery alongside recent events such as the subprime mortgage crisis and COVID-19 pandemic and issues such as rising student debt and collapsing public infrastructure. Her eloquent storytelling lays bare the zero-sum paradigm and outlines the hope of the Solidarity Dividend.

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One exciting aspect of the Common Read program is the yearly writing contest we hold. As a student, you get to decide which prompt you want to explore and write about. It's your chance to showcase your creativity and ideas! 

 

4 Winners will each receive $375 award prize and a $125 Bronco Gift Card

 

Prompt Option One 

Personal Reflection on Key Topics of the Book 

In Heather McGhee's The Sum of Us, she delves into the zero-sum paradigm and the concept of the Solidarity Dividend, challenging readers to consider their own roles in shaping a more just society. In your essay, please reflect on your own lived experiences and answer the following: 

  • What are your personal thoughts on the zero-sum paradigm? How has the zero-sum paradigm impacted your life and affected your perspective on racial and economic issues?  
  • What are your personal thoughts on the solidarity dividend? Have you personally benefited from a solidarity dividend? Please explain. 
  • How might you raise awareness of the zero-sum paradigm? What commitments can you make in your daily life to actively practice solidarity across color, origin, and class? How might your awareness raising and commitments challenge your existing beliefs or behaviors? 

Entry Rules 

  1. Read The Sum of Us, paying special attention to the introduction and chapter 10, where the author defines these concepts. 
  2. Submit your personal reflection essay – 3 pages maximum in 12-point Arial or Helvetica type, double-spaced. Include your name, major, Bronco ID, and CPP email. 
  3. Your entry must be submitted online by January 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Submit your work below.

 

Prompt Option Two 

Book Review 

Book reviews focus on evaluating a recent work, offer a brief description of key points, and a short appraisal of the work. A book review IS NOT a book report which describe what happens in the book or summarizes an account of the plot of a work of fiction or the main idea of a work of non-fiction.  

By contrast, a book review offers a sneak peek at what a book was like for you; how it impacted you personally; and your thoughts on the author’s key points, themes, or topics covered.  

You can pick the author’s central themes OR select one of the chapters in the book that resonated with you. You are encouraged to think reflectively about the theme or chapter; and how it influenced your thinking. Please share this in your review. 

The book review should contain the following: 

  1. Complete Bibliographic Information – title of the book, author, publisher, publication date, etc. We suggest MLA or APA citation style.  
  2. Short Summary/Background of the Book – this is a non-fiction book, so prepare a brief overview of the book’s main arguments. You can provide an overview of how the book is arranged, the number of chapters, and key topics covered. Review the author’s introduction for insight behind why she wrote this book and what inspired her and the background about the book. 
  3. Topics & Themes – As you read the book, make note of the key themes and examples that stand out to you. Here are some questions to consider: 
    1. What is the main idea of the book? Think key topics and themes. How do the various topics or themes contribute to the overall book and author’s main idea? 
    2. What stood out to you the most and why? 
    3. Is there a particular chapter, example, or quote stand out to you?     

     4. Your Opinion – what is your opinion of this book? Would you recommend it? How would you frame your recommendation?  

Entry Rules 

  1. Read The Sum of Us  
  2. Submit your book review – 3 pages maximum in 12-point Arial or Helvetica type, double-spaced. Include your name, major, Bronco ID, and CPP email. 
  3. Your entry must be submitted online by January 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Submit your work below.