United

"What would you do if you couldn’t fail?" This simple question drove Cory Booker to dedicate his life to community, justice, and change.

1. Finding Common Ground Through Connection

Booker learned an important lesson when discovering his mixed heritage: we are all connected, even through unexpected ties. Despite identifying as a Black American, he found that his family tree included descendants of slaves, slave owners, Native Americans, and even a white man who fought in the Creek War. This deeper understanding of his roots helped, in his words, to "set aside the differences that divide us."

Booker's parents embodied this belief in connection. When they faced housing discrimination in New Jersey, it was the advocacy of Arthur Lesemann, a Jewish lawyer, that made their home purchase possible. This act of solidarity across cultural lines profoundly influenced Booker’s worldview.

This belief in interconnectedness fueled Booker’s conviction that change happens when people collaborate. His family's story taught him to always look for mutual understanding as a foundation for problem-solving.

Examples

• Booker’s mixed racial heritage connected him to people of diverse backgrounds, even family members he hadn't met before.
• Arthur Lesemann’s refusal to let discrimination stop the Bookers from buying a home showed the power of cross-cultural allyship.
• Booker attributes his opportunities to the shared efforts of people who acted despite differences, reminding him to build bridges, not walls.

2. The "Conspiracy of Love"

The conspiracy of love, a concept taught by Booker's father, ties personal success to the collective good. It is the idea that the opportunities available to us today are the result of hundreds of acts of kindness, sacrifice, and action by those who came before us.

This philosophy shaped Booker’s values, leading him to reject high-paying corporate jobs and instead live and serve in a rough Newark neighborhood. He felt morally bound to give back and work toward passing opportunities forward, much like how his family benefited from others’ generosity.

Booker recognized the importance of deeply understanding the systemic challenges that others face. His time serving Newark was inspired by this obligation to be a part of a wider coalition of good—fighting for a better, fairer future.

Examples

• Booker’s decision to decline lucrative job offers to serve in Newark illustrates his commitment to the conspiracy of love.
• His parents’ success directly tied to Lesemann’s work emphasized how acts of solidarity ripple across generations.
• Booker views public service as his way of contributing to the chain of kindness and justice.

3. Crime’s Ripple Effect

Booker witnessed how crime affects entire communities, not just the immediate victims. He met Natasha Laurel, a single mother working tirelessly as a waitress, whose livelihood was devastated by a shooting outside her workplace. Crime creates waves of hardship beyond its original act.

Booker also encountered Charlton Holliday, whose journey from shoplifting to incarceration demonstrated how crime perpetuates cycles of violence and destabilization. Holliday’s imprisonment initiated a domino effect, hurting his children and community.

The financial cost of crime is equally devastating. Murders, gunshots, and incarcerations drain public resources, taking money away from infrastructure, education, and other community needs. These cascading consequences motivated Booker to push for solutions addressing the root causes.

Examples

• Natasha’s family lost income after IHOP customers stopped coming due to a nearby shooting.
• Holliday’s path from minor crimes to prison led to tragic outcomes, such as his child becoming a crime victim.
• Newark taxpayers spent $100,000–$200,000 per gunshot wound case, funds that could have been invested into schools or public housing.

4. A Broken Justice System

Visitations to prisons, like Green Haven Correctional Facility, revealed to Booker the inhumanity of incarceration. America’s prison system includes more non-violent offenders than any other country, harming individuals and draining public funds.

The country spends billions annually keeping largely poor, addicted, or mentally ill individuals in jail instead of rehabilitating them. These imprisoned individuals could instead contribute meaningfully to society if offered education or mental health support.

Booker highlights wasted opportunities due to excessive prison funding. Between 1990 and 2005, America opened a new prison every ten days, while investment in schools and infrastructure declined. The trade-offs are stark and unsustainable.

Examples

• Only 5% of the world lives in the US, yet 25% of all imprisoned people are incarcerated there.
• Poorer, mentally ill individuals are overrepresented in jails, receiving punishment instead of aid.
• Resources funneled into prisons coincide with America’s decline in infrastructure and educational rankings.

5. Housing as a Human Right

Living in Newark taught Booker the lasting effects of discriminatory housing policies. Minority families were historically pushed into poor, crime-ridden areas following World War Two, laying the groundwork for cycles of inequality.

Housing impacts life chances. Poor neighborhoods often lack good schools and access to jobs, making it harder for children to break free from poverty. Booker worked to make affordable housing a local priority as mayor, doubling the production of low-income housing and integrating fair housing into affluent areas.

The efforts paid off. Newark’s turnaround inspired housing officials nationwide, proving that better policies can heal divided cities and empower communities.

Examples

• Discriminatory post-war policies shaped Newark’s poverty-ridden "brick city."
• Segregated schools in low-income areas produce disadvantage that spans generations.
• Booker created mixed-income housing zones for a more equitable city.

6. Shared Stewardship of the Planet

Booker believes that protecting our environment is an inherent responsibility. During his mayorship, he met activists like Leroy Edwards, who transformed a neglected lot into a thriving green space, showing how small efforts collectively restore community health.

Environmental solutions are practical too. Planting trees, for example, results in cleaner air, reduced crime, and higher property values. Programs like Clean & Green in Newark also showcased dual benefits by employing ex-felons in city beautification.

By linking environmental efforts to broader reform, Booker demonstrated that caring for our planet creates better futures for all.

Examples

• Leroy Edwards’ cleanup inspired others, reclaiming community spaces from crime and neglect.
• Tree-planting projects cooled Newark and boosted well-being.
• Clean & Green offered second chances while making cities sustainable.

7. The Power of Collective Action

Booker initially believed personal effort alone could lead to success, but time showed him that communal work leads to transformative moments. One such lesson occurred when he and his team camped in a troubled neighborhood to demand better living conditions.

Group ingenuity also led to rethinking Newark’s crime response. Booker and department heads implemented cheap, effective tactics like adjusting police schedules and securing abandoned buildings, resulting in dramatic crime reductions.

By fostering collaboration, Booker emphasizes how people working together can accomplish feats beyond the capacity of any one individual.

Examples

• The tent protest brought residents and activists together, inspiring change.
• Newark’s police re-scheduling saved the city money without compromising safety.
• Cross-department efforts turned crime-ridden parks into family spaces.

8. Injustice Costs Everyone

Systemic inequalities—such as low tipping wages or biased hiring—don’t just harm individuals; they impact society as a whole. Restaurant workers like Natasha struggle while taxpayers and public programs cover gaps left by unfair wage systems.

In employment, criminal records often condemn people to joblessness for years, perpetuating struggles like poverty and dependence on public assistance. Reforming these injustices benefits the entire economy.

Addressing systemic inequalities isn’t charity—it’s practical, saving taxpayers and boosting collective prosperity.

Examples

• Tipped workers rely on food stamps while taxpayers subsidize restaurants’ low wages.
• Ex-offenders face near-total employment barriers, leading many back toward criminal behavior.
• Systemic biases cost communities financially while entrenching inequality.

9. Small Acts Drive Big Change

Booker’s greatest lesson is simple: start somewhere. While grappling with systemic issues, he realized that small, actionable steps create momentum, whether it’s planting a tree or picking up trash.

Listening to others is also a powerful form of action. Booker learned from Frank Hutchins that acknowledging someone’s story can be more meaningful than solving their problems right away.

Improving the world doesn’t demand heroism. Begin with small acts, because every positive action matters.

Examples

• Pitched tents raised awareness, bridging government and public action.
• Hutchins demonstrated kindness by deeply listening to tenant concerns.
• Everyday gestures, like planting trees, yield long-term community benefits.

Takeaways

1. Ask yourself, "If I couldn’t fail, what would I do?" Use the answer to guide your actions toward helping others.
2. Focus on collaborative actions in your community. Whether it’s organizing a local cleanup or attending council meetings, small groups make meaningful change.
3. Embrace listening as a form of leadership. Acknowledge the people around you and let them know their voices matter.