In an interview on “The Black Lawyers Podcast,” freshman Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) floated the idea of exempting black Americans from paying taxes as a form of reparations. “I don’t remember which celebrity, but it was actually a celebrity,” she said, recalling the proposal. “And I was like, ‘I don’t know if that’s not necessarily a bad idea’…One of the things that they proposed is black folk not have to pay taxes for a certain amount of time.”
Crockett acknowledged that the proposal might be good because “that puts money back in your pocket,” but also expressed concerns that it might not work “for people that are already, say, struggling and not paying taxes in the first place.”
The congresswoman emphasized the need for reparations, stating that “So many black folk — not only do you owe for the labor that was stolen and killed and all the other things — but the fact is, like, we end up being so far behind.”
Crockett also stressed the importance of consistency between federal and state governments in reparations plans, saying that without collaboration, “everybody’s gonna run to whichever state and be like, ‘Yo, I need mine.'” She added, “And so we don’t want to see that — this is definitely something that needs to be thought through.”
Crockett criticized those unwilling to conduct studies and invest in reparations, saying, “People that aren’t even willing to do the studies, aren’t willing to invest to make sure we can roll this out the right way.”
Her comments come as the Tennessee state legislature prepares to vote on a bill prohibiting local governments from funding reparations studies and disbursements. The bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Brent Taylor, argues that reparations are a federal issue, not a local one. “I will make very clear, our vote today does not pass judgment on reparations,” he said on the State Senate floor. “That is a very significant and very important issue for many people in our country, but it is an issue that belongs to the federal government and does not belong to our cities and counties, and I think it’s inappropriate for our cities and counties tax dollars to go to such an issue.”
Opponents of the bill, like State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, have labeled it “white supremacist legislation.”
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6 Responses
Everyone should identify as Black.
i agree but only those who don’t work and are on public assistance should pay tax
What about Jews (especially from Eastern Europe), Catholics (especially for Ireland, Italy and Eastern Europe), Asians (who for most of the post-Civil War period had fewer rights than Blacks)? What about Brits who came here in chains, offered the choice between American (and being sold on arrival) or hanging? What about American Indians (who like us, had a country, and it was stolen). The reality is that most non-indigenous Americans came here under less than pleasant conditions, usually as prisoners or fleeing for their lives, often penniless, usually due to lawful discrimination in their homelands. It should be noted that unlike some country’s, an American does need permission or paying an exit tax if they want to return to their country of origin.
What about Americans who are of mixed ancestry. Virtually everyone whose ancestors were here by the revolution is a mixture of European, African and American Indian. And where is the logic is taxing trailer trash to give money to billionaires simply because a few centuries ago the former’s ancestor owned the latter’s ancestor.
PERHAPS WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE THESE DEMANDS FOR REPARATIONS ARE RACIST PROPAGANDA OF THE SORT THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. AND IF THE DEMOCRATS ARE SUPPORTING THIS, OR EVEN TAKING IT SERIOUSLY, IT IS A SIGN THEY ARE MOVING DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE NATIONAL SOCIALIST PARTY OF THE 1930S.
what about exemptions for store owners whose businesses were looted and trashed by black rioters?
I now identify as Black. SHOW ME THE MONEY.
“this is definitely something that needs to be thought through.” no kidding, genius! and as a congresswoman, that’s supposed to be YOUR job.