From Here to Equality

Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century

By: William A. Darity Jr., A. Kirsten Mullen

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Racism and discrimination have choked economic opportunity for African Americans at nearly every turn. At several historic moments, the trajectory of racial inequality could have been altered dramatically. Perhaps no moment was more opportune than the early days of Reconstruction, when the US government temporarily implemented a major redistribution of land from former slaveholders to the newly emancipated enslaved.

But neither Reconstruction nor the New Deal nor the civil rights struggle led to an economically just and fair nation. Today, systematic inequality persists in the form of housing discrimination, unequal education, police brutality, mass incarceration, employment discrimination, and massive wealth and opportunity gaps. Economic data indicates that for every dollar the average white household holds in wealth the average black household possesses a mere 10 cents.

In From Here to Equality, William Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mullen confront these injustices head-on and make the most comprehensive case to date for economic reparations for US descendants of slavery. Taken individually, any one of the three eras of injustice outlined by Darity and Mullen - slavery, Jim Crow, and modern-day discrimination - makes a powerful case for black reparations. Taken collectively, they are impossible to ignore.

©2020 William A. Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mullen (P)2020 Tantor

An excellent history and justification for reparations

This book, more than any other I’ve read, provides the specific historical, legal and economical justification for reparations to black Americans for slavery, Jim Crow and the long history of policy which has maintained the wealth gap between blacks and whites.
I was particularly appalled by the many missed opportunities during the brief period of reconstruction to create a society based on equality. The infamous role of Andrew Johnson after Lincoln was assassinated and message to the south that there will be no repercussions for insurrection or perpetuation of oppression against black people was as disturbing as the financial and political restitution to confederates for their “losses”.

The parallels of contemporary white supremacy, black voter suppression and persistent racism in the U.S. are a compelling appeal to Connie l continue the slow but necessary march towards reparations and closure of the wealth gap in America. We will all benefit from equality.

A must read book

book of the decade. it centers us in this moment. we can and will get equality

Absolute must read for any reparationists

Especially if you're looking to spread awareness about the necessity of reparations & dispel the myths about this great country with truths that show until we heal - we're anything but.

Must Read for Reparation Advocates

By far one of the best books I have ever read.

I am very passionate about learning Black history and reparations advocacy.

This book was perfect for me and I learned a deal more about my people and justice claim to reparations.

Special thanks to Sandy Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen

#ADOS #PureReparations ADOS101

Another Book DeSantis Would Like To Ignore

A well documented and well read book that should embarrass any American who still denies structural racism. The question remains: What are we going to do about IT?

A Must Read for Every American

Most people (including black folk) have no idea that they were never taught incredible amounts of VITAL Black history and the straight line drawn from it to the condition of black America today. This book provides historical context around reparations, ways to determine who qualifies for it, methods to determine the cost, and answers to common pushback questions often spouted by the opposers of ADOS reparations. "From Here to Equality" is a must-read.

Too much slavery, not enough reparations

First, the part about reparations was exceptional. That was the intro and part five of the book.

The vast majority of the book was a treatise on the history of slavery in America. Interesting and useful context, but for a book about reparations, and indeed one specifically arguing about how reparations are needed because of a multitude of government-backed transgressions which includes slavery, devoting so much of the book to a penumbral subject seems misguided.

It was good history and I did learn a lot, but I would much rather this book dived more deeply into reparations at the opportunity cost of shortening the first 80%.

The chapters on reparations were excellent though!

Time is of the essence: Reparations.

A must read especially for all Americans. Extremely well done. The whole truth finally revealed.

Great Reviewer

A fascinating and through account ,of the horrors Black Americans have endured in this nation!

Very informative

The author lays out historical wrongs, and more importantly, shows how the legacy of disenfranchisement of black people continues due to historical prejudices, denial of resources and human rights, and ongoing systemic practices that go unaddressed. Every white person should listen to this, like the message or not.