The Black Tax

The Cost of Being Black in America

By: Shawn D. Rochester

Narrated by: Derrick E. Hardin

Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

While Black Americans have long felt the devastating effects of anti-black discrimination, they have often had great difficulty articulating and substantiating both the existence and impact of that discrimination to an American public who is convinced that it no longer exists. Professionals in academia, the media, and the business community, along with people in the general public have struggled to explain the significant and persistent gaps (in wealth, employment, achievement and poverty) between Black and White communities in what they perceive to be a post racial America. 

In his new book The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America, Shawn Rochester shows how "The Black Tax" (which is the financial cost of conscious and unconscious anti-black discrimination), creates a massive financial burden on Black American households that dramatically reduces their ability to leave a substantial legacy for future generations. Mr. Rochester lays out an extraordinarily compelling case which documents the enormous financial cost of current and past anti-black discrimination on African American households. 

The Black Tax, provides the fact pattern, data and evidence to substantiate what African Americans have long experienced and tried to convey to an unbelieving American public. Backed by an exceptional amount of research, Mr. Rochester not only highlights the extraordinary cost of the discrimination that African Americans currently face, but also explores the massive cost of past discrimination to explain why after 400 years Black Americans own only about 2% of American wealth. He then establishes a framework that Black Americans and other concerned parties can use to eliminate this tax and help create the 6 million jobs and 1.4 million businesses that are missing from the Black community.

©2017 Shawn D. Rochester (P)2020 Shawn D. Rochester

Powerful Statistical & Historic Truth on Black Economic State in America

Excellent comprehensive analysis on the economic state Afro Americans in the United States. As an Afro American male, late 30s, I have mostly seen a large wealth gap (my family included) between blacks and whites and have always wondered to myself, why this is the case. Mr. Rochester provides the analytical and statistical evidence proving the plight of the Afro American is the direct result of systemic and intentional explicit and implicit anti-black bias, leading to The Black Tax designed to financially and politically disempower blacks from having any real wealth nor power.

To think that the collective black person’s defeated position has been controlled and undermined simply because of the pigmentation of one’s skin is a depressing ‘nightmare reality’ for more than half of millennium. (Slavery goes beyond 400 years, hint Papal Bulls)

Despite these historical and statistical facts, I strongly believe we can overcome these challenges with a concentrated effort towards wealth accumulation guided by Mr. Rochester’s solutions. We have to be intentional and focused, because the agenda is real to keep blacks down below the 2% market share in every single wealth accumulation category. (There are news articles circulated with the past 5 years suggesting that Blacks will have zero to negative net worth by the year 2053)

Listen

Listened to this over and over so many times as it’s filled with so many golden nuggets. Outstanding book

Knowledge is Power

This book provides scientific statistical proof and results of economic racism in America. Come to this book for indisputable facts both historical and current. Our 30-something son said of this book that it what his generation needs to be armed with to have conversations with the complacent. 90% of the book covers how we got here 10% how to change it. The change part is simple PHD and SOUL. It’s an eye-opener. I especially like the explanation for how banks stimulate the economy and how little it would take to position Black-owned banks to better Black businesses investments communities therefore the country.

Awesome Read, Get your PHD

This book provides a wonderful fact based summary of the historic events that is the Black Tax, its economical impacts, and the capital and tools we have within our community to overcome the wealth gap suffered by Black Americans. Get your PHD and equip your sphere of influence and the next generation.

Eye Opening!

This is a must read book to learn how Black Americans have been held back and how Black Americans can move forward.

GIves Numbers to the Narrative

We all here the facts, but where are the actual numbers when it comes to this debate. Rochester delivers them in a quick, but substantive takedown.

Black That

A great presentation on what Black America can do to improve their financial well-being and financial life style. Not just jargon it projects logic and steps to take in order to an have opportunity to get the elusive racial discouraged American dream.

Eye Opening!

This book answers all the whys to why there is such a difference in cultural economics in america. We all knew that there was a gross imbalance in America concerning black vs white generational wealth. Hearing the numbers and statistics leaves no margin of understanding in why this is in place. We would be crazy to think that the concepts and laws of this land were not designed to embrace those that "FOUNDED" this land, it helped tremendously to. know how it is done. As an african american male, I do not get upset by this for if the tables were turned, we may have done the same thing, but I am blessed to have learned this information in this format so that I can be prepared for what is against me as an african american male striving for success in this country. Unfortunately, many of my people will not get it and will not be able to overcome this Black Tax, but hopefully those that read this book will be impacted and pushed towards strengthening our black communities and one day have something to hand down to our family tree.

This has become my financial bible!!!

I have always felt something was acting against my economic growth but could never quite put my finger on what it was. This book brilliantly lays out the challenges and roadblocks that have been limiting my success. Armed with this knowledge I am much better prepared to beal with those challenges and roadblocks.

Black Tax is a must read by all

love it and it should be a best seller on all list. I'm ordering it for my entire extended family

Informative, insightful and practical 👏

I would highly recommend this book to anybody who is interested in supporting the black community. The book offers insightful information and practical solutions to encourage economic empowerment within the black community. I am glad I bought this book.