The Whiteness of Wealth: How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans--And How We Can Fix It

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This exposé reveals the racism embedded in the American taxation system, authored by a law professor and tax policy expert. Dorothy A. Brown, who became a tax lawyer to escape the realities of race, grew up in the South Bronx, witnessing how racism constrained her community. Initially, tax law seemed a refuge focused solely on numbers, but her perspective shifted when preparing tax returns for her parents, who were paying a disproportionately high percentage of their income in taxes. As a law professor, Brown sought to uncover the reasons behind this disparity. In her work, she utilizes extensive cross-disciplinary research to illustrate that tax law is not as color-blind as she once thought. Through stories from families in Atlanta, she highlights how American tax policies favor white individuals, leaving Black Americans at a financial disadvantage in areas such as education, marriage, and homeownership. This systemic bias contributes to a widening wealth gap and further marginalizes Black families from achieving the American dream. Addressing these issues will necessitate a fundamental reevaluation of the tax code and a commitment from both Black and white Americans to make different choices. This insightful book outlines a path forward.