Unraveling the Financial Fabric of Racial Exploitation in America
In The Plunder of Black America: How the Racial Wealth Gap Was Made, Calvin Schermerhorn presents a compelling narrative that traces the intricacies of racial exploitation through the lens of seven Black families, spanning centuries. By chronicling their experiences, Schermerhorn weaving a fabric of American history rich with stories of struggle, survival, and systemic inequity.
The Essence of Economic Piracy
Schermerhorn’s approach positions these families as central characters in a broader story of racialized economic piracy. Each chapter acts as a standalone narrative, yet collectively they unravel a consistent pattern of dispossession. The author drives home the critical argument: African Americans did not squander their wealth as they moved from enslavement to seeking equality. Rather, they continually faced dispossession, driven by changing economic tides that consistently undermined their hard-earned gains.
Portraits of Resilience: Morris and the Custis Family
One particularly striking chapter introduces Morris, a skilled enslaved woodworker. Tasked with crafting coffins for the Custis family, Morris’s experience illustrates a grim reality—his labor directly funded the wealth of prominent figures, including George Washington. This historical connection not only shows the intimate interplay between enslaved labor and affluence but highlights how these legacies of exploitation are woven into America’s foundational narrative.
When Washington’s marriage to Martha Custis necessitated the relocation of enslaved laborers, Morris was uprooted from his community. This shift symbolizes the violent rupture families endured under slavery while simultaneously showcasing how their labor transformed properties like Mount Vernon into symbols of American wealth. Schermerhorn’s haunting prose accentuates the stark contrasts between Washington’s luxurious life and Morris’s subsistence existence, revealing the underpinnings of systemic inequality that continue to echo through generations.
Post-Emancipation Struggles: Family Stories of the Civil War Era
Schermerhorn’s exploration doesn’t stop at the end of slavery but extends into the post-emancipation era, where stories of inequity resurface. The example of Sam Goings, a Union army veteran, highlights the systemic neglect faced by Black soldiers. Despite their sacrifices, they encountered discriminatory pay and benefits. Goings’s tragic fate—falling victim to tuberculosis after service—serves as a grim reminder of the societal structures that continued to marginalize Black Americans long after emancipation.
The narrative threads through the decades, revealing a persistent pattern of exclusion from significant public benefits. The impact of the New Deal and subsequent legislation—often designed to uplift white families—had devastating effects on Black families, notably illustrated by the Rivers family. Their struggle to maintain a foothold in the economic landscape exposes the broader systemic barriers that have historically confined Black wealth and opportunity.
The Legacy of Economic Exclusion: The Ragsdale Family
Throughout the 20th century, the struggles of families like the Ragsdales further underscore how racialized economic systems operated. Hartwell Ragsdale’s experience during the Tulsa massacre and the subsequent challenges faced by his son, Lincoln, reflect the violent backdrop against which many Black families sought economic mobility.
Despite Lincoln’s achievements as a Tuskegee airman and entrepreneur, he was continually confronted by institutional barriers. Regular banks denied him access to the low-interest GI loans due to systemic racism, forcing him into a cycle of economic instability. This chapter exemplifies the intricate dance of progress and regression, where individual ambition is undermined by larger societal forces.
Interconnections of Wealth: The Broader Picture
Schermerhorn reveals the broader implications of these stories by connecting historical events—like the financial panic of 1873 and the 2008 housing crisis—to illustrate how deeply ingrained these patterns of exploitation have become. He elucidates how shifts in economic policy frequently resulted in disproportionate losses for Black Americans, as demonstrated by the staggering loss of land ownership post-Emancipation.
The narrative goes beyond individual stories to encapsulate the multifaceted factors contributing to the racial wealth gap, touching on education, land dispossession, and discriminatory legislation. Schermerhorn’s storytelling breathes life into statistics, compelling readers to acknowledge the human cost behind systemic disparities.
Policy Solutions: The Path Forward
In the concluding chapters, Schermerhorn pivots toward potential solutions, highlighting a range of public policies that could pave the way for reparative justice. His discussion interprets principles of restitution, such as community development funds, student loan forgiveness, and initiatives aimed at reversing historical injustices.
While his proposals are crucial, they underline a pressing question: how do we cultivate a collective will to implement these changes? Schermerhorn’s work not only elucidates the historical framework of racial exploitation but also challenges readers to consider their role in advocating for justice in the contemporary landscape.
The Impact of Personal Narratives
Ultimately, The Plunder of Black America stands as both a historical account and a call to action. By embedding personal narratives within a broader historical context, Schermerhorn encourages readers to confront the uncomfortable realities of the past while considering the imperative for change today. His intimate portrayals of families rooted in struggle and resilience illuminate the human experience behind historical events, inviting a deeper understanding of America’s complex socio-economic tapestry.