Paying The Social Debt

Richard America here redefines the complex problems of racial economic injustice, poverty, inequality, and lagging competitiveness and productivity in the United States. In a sure-to-be-controversial analysis, the author argues that there is a true debt owed by White America to Black America, that this debt is significant, and that it has now come due. He estimates the size of Whites' debt to Blacks, shows how that debt came to be, and suggests creative ways of paying it back. This book argues persuasively that the social and racial problems in the United States cannot be solved until we acknowledge that the haves truly and literally owe money to the have nots.

This volume presents the controversial notion that White America truly and literally owes Black America money, and that this debt has now come due.

Booknews

Argues that much of the present inequity in the US is traceable to economic injustices that the ancestors of the "haves" committed against the ancestors of the "have-nots," and though the living should not be held to account, they should use the benefits they are still enjoying to help eliminate the inequities others still suffer from. Suggests how to estimate the value of the diverted income and how to make restitution in ways that enhance overall economic performance by investing in education, health, housing, training, crime prevention, and business development. Also proposes a theory of social monopoly as an antitrust concept and looks at how the tax structure could be altered to contribute to restitution. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

RICHARD F. AMERICA works in Washington, D.C., and is a Senior Program Manager in the federal government.