“This history sheds new light on the forces generating economic inequality in America and the racial character of those inequalities,” Kahrl writes.
The book pairs personal stories with rich details about municipalities nationwide that used complex tax collection to fund distribution to white land and property owners, and the economic dynamics spanning over a century of US history.
Kahrl doesn’t just focus on the grim findings but he does share possible solutions to making up for the last century of financial oppression against the Black community. He suggests the establishment of a federal fiscal equity program that mirrors Canada’s approach, where funds are allocated to local governments based on their needs. He also suggests introducing a universal home tax exemption for numerous Americans, especially lower-income homeowners or those residing in historically neglected areas. Another option would be to impose taxes on the wealthiest individuals in the US.
“This is the past that we live with today. But it does not have to be our future,” Kahrl writes.
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Source: Black Enterprise
