Play the Game ... - Robert Livingston - Incredible Book!

 

This book was written primarily for Black People - related to Racism.   I'm white.

It's incredible!

The study showed that a large percentage of Black professionals with ethnically identifiable names such as Lakeisha Ann Washington - would strategically list their name as L. Ann Washington, for example, rather than Lakeisha A. Washington when it came time to apply for a job. (p.17)

Livingston recounted the story of a white women he called: "Kaitlin Wilson" (not her real name) , who had organized a major two day DEI presentation at her company;   He noted that Kaitlin came to him and told him how the "name" issue had related to her own lived experience when she was back in college, years ago.

Kaitlin had initially been rejected for admission to her sorority.   She'd applied to the sorority using her full name: "Diamond Kaitlin Wilson".  Shortly thereafter she ran into one of the sorority sisters who'd rejected her.   Once the sister realized that Kaitlin was white, not Black, she was invited to and joined the (all white) sorority.

As a result of this experience, Kaitlin had immediately dropped her (former) first name entirely.

Shen then ran into a sorority sister.   After realizing that Kaitlin was white, not Black, Kaitlin was invited to join the (all white) sorority.

"She's now one of my best friends!" Kaitlin proudly proclaimed, referring to the sorority sister who had initially rejected her when she thought she was Black." (p.18)

Robert Livingston clearly shows how (we) white people excuse, rather than confront racism.   He indicates that it is not a question of our "knowledge".  Rather, it relates to how we disconnect, creating dissonance to protect our emotional well being.   

Livingston concludes in a clear, effective way that we are basically "addicts".   We will talk about racism (as the addict will talk about her/his addiction).  We resist confronting racism, actively helping systemic racism continue, unabated.   We value our own comfort, as white people, as most important, rather than the ending of 400+ years of slavery/reconstruction/ racism in general.

Robert Livingston explains his perspective step, by step, using quotes from noted Black People he's interviewed as well as illustrative stories.  He gave a great example of political efforts and social networking speaking of Anthony Foxx, the (Black) former mayor of Charlotte, NC and U.S. Transportation Secretary

I ran into a gentleman who was probably in his late sixties when I was running for mayor, and he said: "Your grandfather was my principal when I was in high school."  It wasn't really that unusual to hear a story like that.  And then he proceeded to tell me that because he hadn't had a person in his family go to college before he relied on my grandfather to help him fill out his applications.  I said, "Wow, that's an amazing, great story."  He said:, "No, there's more to the story.  I had to also apply for financial aid, and I had to go to Raleigh state capitol to get my papers finalized.   I didn't have a way to get to Raleigh.  But your grandfather gave me the keys to his car.""   And I thought that sounded like my grandfather, but it also sounded like public service.  And, you know, when your roots are that deep in a community, it gives you a starting place to run for office. (p.85)

From pages 117- 126, Livingston recounts a personal story of what transpired when he was boarding a flight to Greensboro, NC.  A white, female flight attendant, halted the boarding, while she served drinks to multiple rows of first class passengers, just before he was to head towards his seat.   When, after passengers behind him, became restless, he tried to speak to the airline employee, and was told that he was being "rude" and not being "patient".  Subsequently he was removed from the plane, after risking further problems, such as being arrested, he persisted, remaining calm.   

After further discussion, the airline removed the entire flight attendant crew (replacing them with a new crew),  an airline employee profusely apologized, and he succeeded in getting the airline to change its related policies.  The revised policies clarified that a flight attendant stating that s/he was "uncomfortable" with a passenger was not a valid reason for seeking to have the passenger removed from the plane.  It also, with Livingston's suggestions, both added language to protect flight staff from harassment, as well as passengers from racist or otherwise arbitrary/discriminatory treatment.

This story was horrifying, fascinating, and realistic.  Robert Livingston showed how he could resist and create a positive outcome in a situation where many others might have a much, perhaps even dangerous, outcome, particularly related to racism.

Robert Livingston combines a deep passion/love, intellectual rigor, and excellent writing to help awaken this reader in a variety of ways.   One example, late in the book follows:

As stated throughout the book, playing the game, changing the game, and leaving the game are not mutually exclusive, but rather synergistic.  ...  I find find the combination of playing, changing, and  leaving the game embedded in Blow's strategy of reverse migration to be one of the most promising prospects for obtaining, enduring and sustainable Black political power on a national level that current exists.  (p.223)

In the epilogue Livingston states:

Back when I was a smoker, I would sometimes conduct an informal field study while out at a restaurant, bar or nightclub in Spain or England.  I would offer someone a pound oe euro for a cigarette.  About eight times out of ten in England, they would accept the coin and hand me a cigarette.  In Spain, about eight times out of ten they would give me the cigarette and tell me to keep the money.   ... Even if I offered more than a euro or asked for two cigarettes, the people of Spain would just give them to me. And if I asked without offering money, I would most often be given a cigarette in Spain but receive a polite excuse (e.g., 
"Sorry, mate, I'm all out") in England.   ... On the other hand the United States is more of a "shark" culture, characterized by the creation of "winners" and "losers" as a way to define what it means to triumph in the game of life 1

The whole notion of the loser - in the way that we mean it in the United States - is something that is difficult for Spaniards to comprehend.  (p.226)

Most people in Spain (and Italy, Portugal, Greece, etc.) prioritize quality time with family and friends.  The focus is on having enough  to be comfortable, not creating stress and hassle in one's life for the sake of constantly chasing more and more wealth.  In the United States, that's the whole point - to be number one. (p.227)

On the next to last page of this magnificent book, Robert Livingston states:

Separation and domination represent such a misguided way to live one's best life.   This is not so much a judgment as an assertion of fact.  Researchers have long investigated what makes people happy, and it's neither wealth nor power. 7  It's people.  It's experiences.  It's purpose.  Money also plays a role- which is why "financial security" is on the list.  However, you don't need tons of money. (p.232)

Several weeks ago Robert Livingston generous gave 45 minutes of his time on zoom at our regularly weekly meeting of White Men for Racial Justice (https://www.wmrj.org/) meeting.   He, a Black Man gave me a nearly 75 year old white man, a gift I don't deserve!

Systematically, we white people, particularly advantaged white men, are addicted, as Livingston aptly describes, to White Supremacy.   In this book he is speaking (primarily) to Black People, encouraging them to find their individual and collective paths towards a just non-racist world, without (endlessly) waiting for us to overcome our addiction.