The Black Tax: 150 Years of Theft, Exploitation, and Dispossession in America

by Andrew W. Kahrl

Revealing a history that is deep, broad, and infuriating, The Black Tax casts a bold light on the racist practices long hidden in the shadows of America’s tax regimes.
 
American taxation is unfair, and it is most unfair to the very people who critically need its support. Not only do taxpayers with fewer resources—less wealth, power, and land—pay more than the well-off, they are forced to fight for their rights within an unjust system that undermines any attempts to improve their position or economic standing. In The Black Tax , Andrew W. Kahrl reveals the shocking history and ruinous consequences of inequitable and predatory tax laws in this country—above all, widespread and devastating racial dispossession.

Throughout the twentieth century, African Americans acquired substantial amounts of property nationwide. But racist practices, obscure processes, and outright theft diminished their holdings and their power. Of these, Kahrl shows, few were more powerful, or more quietly destructive, than property taxes. He examines all the structural features and hidden traps within America’s tax system that have forced Black Americans to pay more for less and stripped them of their land and investments, and he reveals the staggering cost. The story of America’s now enormous concentration of wealth at the top—and the equally enormous absence of wealth among most Black households—has its roots here.
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Kahrl exposes the painful history of these practices, from Reconstruction up to the present, describing how discrimination continues to take new forms, even as people continue to fight for their rights, their assets, and their power. If you want to understand the extreme economic disadvantages and persistent racial inequalities that African American households continue to face, The Black Tax is your starting point.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sociology, Economics, Race

456 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Arieta · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, could not recommend this book enough. It goes into the depths of taxation and racism without being convoluted or hard to understand. Opened my eyes to so many things that I had no idea about. Read it!!!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important book about how local property taxes have been used to take wealth from African Americans via overassessment, bogus taxes, and other means. Examples from Jersey City to Chicago to the Sea Islands of South Carolina from post-Reconstruction until today.

[Dwayne Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book on the negative effect a local and state tax codes that gravely affects African Americans.

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-opening and compelling.. changed the way I look at local government, politics, race relations in the US. We're technically free here, but tragically bound by ruthlessly deregulated capitalism and forced to suffer at the hands of the extremely wealthy thanks to fiscal conservatism. They continually promise a brighter future that never arrives for the 99%.. anyone who could mitigate the pain for the working poor and middle class is dirty and paid off, so the horrific details of white collar cruelty that show up in the newspapers occasionally are all seemingly lost to time and memory. The people who continually suffer are those that have no choice.. oppressed minorities or poor or elderly. The whole history of it is sickening and it's something I wish I didn't have to come to terms with as a white guy. But, of course, it's still happening.. we can do better as a society but we probably won't because $$$. Agree 100% with author's conclusion, our public funding needs to catch up with the rest of the civilized world.

[Nada · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an important read. It took me time to get through and reflect on what he was sharing. I learned so much and leave feeling, as always, such disappointment in this country and in people - just can’t seem to do right

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

capital is power and assessors are aligned with power

[Rafael Jovel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a must read for anyone interested in racial capitalism, made me fundamentally sad but purposefully so, and this is the exact kind of work that can lead to a better path forward.

[Cedrick Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and accessible. Goes back to Reconstruction