"Play the Game, Change the Game, Leave the Game" by Robert Livingston Book Discussion (Class of 2028)

 

            On September 30th, 2025 I got the chance to attend a public lecture by renowned race scholar Dr. Robert Livingston that was held by the LINCS Scholars program at Spelman College. Although I hadn't heard of Dr. Livingston's book before this lecture, I found his arguments to be fascinating and well articulated. I was very pleased that everyone in the crowd was given a copy of his book, which my father and I have been reading and discussing together. 

            The most interesting argument that Dr. Livingston made in this lecture was that white people have an addiction to white supremacy. What I liked most about this discussion was that several AUC students asked profound questions in rebuttal of this claim, asking Dr. Livingston questions like, "Can black people be addicted to white supremacy?" and "Does this absolve white people from the shame that comes with the 'racist' label"? Dr. Livingston's answers were intentionally vague so that the audience would feel encouraged to read the book on their own. I'm slowly uncovering his line of reasoning as I read each chapter, and while not all of the questions asked that day were answered, I'm thoroughly enjoying the adventure of finding the answers in his work.

            My favorite sentiment from his book comes from his interview with Angela Davis, where she expressed that no one on this Earth acts as an individual, but as a part of a collective. I hope that the intellectual community here at Spelman will move, speak, and represent our college while keeping the same sentiment in mind. I look forward to attending more LINCS Scholars Program lectures in the future.

- Alyssa Amaker