This week will be more of a grab bag than usual. First, using the tools of investigative journalism, Reckon freelance reporter Tracie McMillan visited the hometown of U.S. Sen. and VP contender JD Vance to calculate his "white bonus." For a refresher on the concept, revisit this piece that first appeared in this newsletter. Share it with a friend ahead of tonight's debate between Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Next, we have a wonderful feature by best-selling author David Magee about a former Miss America who has spent nearly four decades battling addiction — and the image of herself that she and the world created. Don't be surprised if you see this story on the big screen some day. Last but not least, we're following the response to Hurricane Helene across the South. Visit Reckon on Instagram to learn how to help and for some local news organizations to follow and, hopefully, financially support. Let's talk about it. |
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JD Vance, the Ohio senator and Republican candidate for vice president, does not talk much about being white. Yet an analysis of public records indicates that more than $20 million has flowed to the self-styled “hillbilly” from policies and practices that fuel white advantage. As Tracie McMillan describes in her book, The White Bonus, combining social science and history with life story can offer a powerful—if rough—tally of the dollar value of white privilege for an individual American. A “white bonus” measures the cumulative financial and social benefits that white individuals often receive due to systemic racial advantages in American society. These advantages stem from easier access to resources like education, job opportunities, housing and capital. While not every white person experiences these benefits equally, the “white bonus” represents the aggregate effect of racial privilege that can accumulate over a lifetime and even across generations. The tally for Sen. Vance’s “white bonus” comprises a modest family inheritance, high-paying jobs in Silicon Valley, and political donations that Reckon has been able to tie directly to white advantage. |
There she is: The rise, fall and comeback of a Miss America |
Susan Akin, the bombshell from Meridian, Miss., won the Miss America crown in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sept. 14, 1985, her final of 113 pageants spanning 17 years, with tens of millions, or nearly half of all television sets in the country tuned in, as Gary Collins crooned: “There she is…,” tears streaming down Susan’s face. On that magical night, she was as big across America as a NASA rocket ship launch, or a winning Super Bowl quarterback. “It was a blur,” Susan says. “I’d worked for it most of my life. I remember finally getting to catch my breath, thinking, ‘Is this real?’ But I also thought. ‘Okay mother. Here it is. I hope you are happy.’” Soon everything would begin to unravel. |
Record flooding has devastated parts of the South in the wake of Hurricane Helene. As the remnants of Category Four Hurricane Helene continue north, Reckon reported this week, causing flood warnings expected to last until the end of the week in regions around Richmond, Virginia, and Washington D.C., the scale of the deadly destruction caused by its 14 0mph winds and record-breaking rainfall is being revealed in the Appalachians and other parts of the Southeast. So far this year, 147 federal disaster declarations have been issued. That includes: —55 Fire —40 Severe storm —18 Tropical storm —17 Flooding —6 Hurricane —4 Tornado —4 Winter storm —2 Mud- or landslide —1 Straight line winds Check out the map above, courtesy of FEMA. Notice anything interesting? |
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As always, thanks for reading the Reckon Report. If you come across anything interesting or just want to sound off, don't hesitate to email me at rnave@reckonmedia.com. Peace, R.L. |
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