Play the Game. Change the Game. Leave the Game.
Pathways to Black Empowerment, Prosperity, and Joy
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Play the Game. Change the Game. Leave the Game.
Narrated by:
Robert Livingston
Buy Now for $26.99
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Narrated by:
-
Robert Livingston
About this listen
It’s time to face an inconvenient truth: our current approach to fighting racism is just not working. For a brief moment following the murder of George Floyd, it seemed as though the country had finally acknowledged the destructive legacy of slavery and White supremacy, and had committed to putting things right. Now, a horde of prominent voices—many of whom professed to be antiracist allies—are pulling back, cutting support, and defunding programs that sought to level the playing field.
Harvard psychologist Robert Livingston contends that racism operates like an addiction for so many White people: hard to admit, and even harder to quit. Given their unwillingness to kick the habit, where does this leave Black people? In this provocative book, Livingston has flipped the script, asking: How can Black people attain prosperity and peace of mind despite the enduring presence of racism? Livingston reveals three paths:
- Play the game, or find ways to work within mainstream, predominantly White systems without sacrificing your identity or dignity. Think of Kenneth Chenault, a “tempered radical” who rose through the ranks to become the first Black CEO of American Express.
- Change the game, or challenge the status quo in an effort to upend White supremacy—like Colin Kaepernick, whose idealism cost him his football career but made him an icon.
- Leave the game, or turn away from White environments to carve out spaces where Black people can flourish—from HBCUs to entrepreneurship to the creation of ethnic enclaves, like the all-Black, middle-class neighborhood where Livingston himself grew up.
Drawing on social science, his own experiences, and interviews with trailblazing Black leaders and luminaries, Livingston reveals the contours of these oft overlapping paths for effectively navigating, mitigating, and circumventing White supremacy. Play the Game. Change the Game. Leave the Game. is a bold, groundbreaking proposition that empowers readers to make the leap from being played to creating their own game plan.
Critic Reviews
“My grandmother used to tell us that racism ‘is white people’s problem,’ not ours. I think she was trying to teach us that we had to live our lives fully on our terms, without internalizing the limits other people would place on us. Play the Game. Change the Game. Leave the Game. is a wise, generous book that recognizes that you have more power than you may think to set your own rules and create your own change.” —Deval Patrick, governor of Massachusetts (2007–2015)
“Written with a keen understanding of the complexities of race and identity, this book is an uplifting message that marginalized groups are both mighty and resourceful. A timely reminder for those who feel lost during these difficult times.”—Kimberlé Crenshaw, distinguished professor of law at UCLA and Columbia Law School
“A compelling exploration of resilience and change. There’s so much in this world over which we have no control, but Robert Livingston reminds us of just how much control we do have. I think this will be the biggest book about race and careers in a generation.”—Dr. David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College (2018–2025)
“In this groundbreaking work, Robert Livingston blends pragmatic advice with rigorous research to teach us how to navigate, confront, or exit our stubborn institutions. In trying and testing times, this book is a restorative that shows us—once again—that its author is a national treasure.”—Kenji Yoshino, author of Covering and Say the Right Thing; faculty director of the NYU Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
“With uncommon clarity and conviction, Robert Livingston offers a compelling road map for so many Black Americans who are working to make sense of the state of our nation and world. His is an insightful and illuminating work—filled with advice and role models whose journeys will inspire you on your own.”—Anthony Foxx, U.S. secretary of transportation (2013–2017)
“Play the Game is an indispensable handbook for navigating the ever-present realities of whiteness. While this clear-eyed and compassionate guide speaks directly to how Black Americans can move beyond surviving into fully thriving, it also offers deep insight to all readers on how the system works and how it can be challenged. Robert Livingston has given us the gift of critical hope—hope that is measured and realistic—at a time when hope is dearly needed. This is a book that will be read again and again—keep it close by!”—Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility
“Written with a keen understanding of the complexities of race and identity, this book is an uplifting message that marginalized groups are both mighty and resourceful. A timely reminder for those who feel lost during these difficult times.”—Kimberlé Crenshaw, distinguished professor of law at UCLA and Columbia Law School
“A compelling exploration of resilience and change. There’s so much in this world over which we have no control, but Robert Livingston reminds us of just how much control we do have. I think this will be the biggest book about race and careers in a generation.”—Dr. David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College (2018–2025)
“In this groundbreaking work, Robert Livingston blends pragmatic advice with rigorous research to teach us how to navigate, confront, or exit our stubborn institutions. In trying and testing times, this book is a restorative that shows us—once again—that its author is a national treasure.”—Kenji Yoshino, author of Covering and Say the Right Thing; faculty director of the NYU Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
“With uncommon clarity and conviction, Robert Livingston offers a compelling road map for so many Black Americans who are working to make sense of the state of our nation and world. His is an insightful and illuminating work—filled with advice and role models whose journeys will inspire you on your own.”—Anthony Foxx, U.S. secretary of transportation (2013–2017)
“Play the Game is an indispensable handbook for navigating the ever-present realities of whiteness. While this clear-eyed and compassionate guide speaks directly to how Black Americans can move beyond surviving into fully thriving, it also offers deep insight to all readers on how the system works and how it can be challenged. Robert Livingston has given us the gift of critical hope—hope that is measured and realistic—at a time when hope is dearly needed. This is a book that will be read again and again—keep it close by!”—Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility
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