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senquezada29's review against another edition
4.0
Since it was recommended by an ex, I waited way too long to read this book LOL. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic history of black banking and the political, social and financial reasons for its failures. Although at times it was unnecessarily dense, it was an easy read that made highlightable point after point. It also showed how we have allowed political leaders to use the same rationales to (intentionally i.m.o.) fool us into believing they are supporting Black economic development when they know their efforts are meaningless and will never truly move the needle. There's also a strong argument that solutions will have to entail some sort of reparations (as politically unpopular as it is) if we ever hope to create an integrated economy where Blacks have an equal opportunity to build wealth.
marcapitman's review against another edition
5.0
What an important book. This Book and The Color of Law have been incredibly helpful in showing the systemic nature of racism in the United States. I highly recommend this book.
tophat8855's review against another edition
5.0
Listened on Hoopla. Good history I didn't know about- gotta catch up on all the stuff schools skipped over. I did find it repetitive at times- almost word-for-word repeating a point that was previously stated. But I still think this is a good book to read.
zoot's review against another edition
5.0
This is incredibly digestible, even as someone who does not have any sort of economic or financial background.
kwheeles's review
4.0
Great book - clear writing, good depth. Clarity on the difficulty in transitioning from a state of major injustice (slavery) to 'equality'. Especially while the beneficiaries of the former state still hold disproportionate power. I'm still unsure of exactly the path to proceed, but it is clear we as a society have not done enough to rectify the disadvantages of black Americans.
I live near Baltimore, a disturbing example of minority population center lacking economic opportunities. I often think about what can be done - but I find it a tragedy that we are not doing more to try to alleviate the problems. This book illustrates in detail the difficulties and the false promise of purely neoliberal policies as a remedy.
Great stuff.
I live near Baltimore, a disturbing example of minority population center lacking economic opportunities. I often think about what can be done - but I find it a tragedy that we are not doing more to try to alleviate the problems. This book illustrates in detail the difficulties and the false promise of purely neoliberal policies as a remedy.
Great stuff.
ryceejo's review against another edition
5.0
When someone tells you systemic racism isn't real, point them straight to this book. The first currency of America was black people who weren't allowed the same financial abilities as whites once they were freed. How could systemic racism *not* exist when the system began at the expense of blacks?
This book is the end-all for learning about our nation's history of racism. Through each war, each president's handling of civil rights, and each failed black bank, the author gives an incredibly thorough historical account of America from the Civil War to today. There are thousands of examples of how people of color were never given a chance to catch up, and as much as people don't want to admit it, there is much work to be done to ever achieve equity.
This book is the end-all for learning about our nation's history of racism. Through each war, each president's handling of civil rights, and each failed black bank, the author gives an incredibly thorough historical account of America from the Civil War to today. There are thousands of examples of how people of color were never given a chance to catch up, and as much as people don't want to admit it, there is much work to be done to ever achieve equity.
audaciaray's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a serious achievement - a history of black banking and the role of racism in banking institutions in the US, with lots of examples of policies and businesses initiatives and the harm they’ve wrought on black communities. In particular, the author documents the wily ways of racism and capitalism, and how they adapt to appropriate movements. I was especially interested in the sections about Nixon and how he appropriated the messaging of black power and packaged it into black capitalism initiatives that divided radical black organizing with the carrot of black business support structures that were actually ways to segregate and economically crush black communities.
Though the book ends on a slightly upbeat note about what could be possible. But this is otherwise a thoroughly bleak study of the impacts of American capitalism on black communities and the failures (because of white supremacist capitalism) of institutions that have tried to fix it.
Though the book ends on a slightly upbeat note about what could be possible. But this is otherwise a thoroughly bleak study of the impacts of American capitalism on black communities and the failures (because of white supremacist capitalism) of institutions that have tried to fix it.