The Black Tax

According to Andrew Kahrl, the property tax has been used to disposs black homeowners since the 19th century.

On both sides of the color line, to own one’s home remains synonymous with freedom—even as real estate has proven itself to be relentlessly unequal.

The long arc of racist plunder through local tax codes is shocking—or, well, maybe it’s not, really.

The history of the property tax system and its structural defects that have led to widespread discrimination against Black Americans.