Jonah Patel
The worth of a Black man has been a contentious issue in the United States, with a history of racialized devaluation and systemic racism. Since the arrival of the first African slaves in the 16th century, Black individuals have been subjected to commodification, slavery, and various forms of oppression. The infamous Three-Fifths Clause in the US Constitution, while not indicative of the worth of a Black person, reflected the complex dynamics of slavery and representation in Congress. Today, police brutality, flawed court systems, and racial biases continue to perpetuate the dehumanization and undervaluing of Black lives. The fight for racial equality and justice remains an ongoing struggle, with Black freedom fighters and influential figures challenging systemic racism and creating paths towards a more equitable society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Black people as commodities | $4 |
| Black people as slaves | 3/5 of a person |
| Black people as free inhabitants | 1 full person |
| Black people as indentured servants | 1 full person |
| Black people as property | Not considered in determining representation of the states |
| Black people as taxpayers | $0.67 |
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What You'll Learn
Police brutality and court system
The United States has a long history of police brutality against Black people. Despite comprising only 13.4% of the population, Black people make up 22% of fatal police shooting victims. This disparity is even more pronounced when considering that white people, who make up a little over 60% of the population, account for about 41% of fatal police shootings. This indicates a clear overrepresentation of Black individuals among victims of police brutality and fatal shootings.
The issue of police brutality against Black Americans has sparked widespread protests and civil unrest, notably following the killing of George Floyd in 2020. Floyd's death sparked protests and civil unrest across the United States, with demonstrators demanding an end to police violence and racial injustice. The Black Lives Matter movement gained significant momentum during this time, bringing much-needed attention to the issue.
The criminal justice system in the United States has been criticized for its failure to adequately address police brutality and hold officers accountable for their actions. While many incidents of police brutality and fatal shootings go unprosecuted in criminal courts, victims and their families have pursued civil lawsuits, resulting in significant financial costs for taxpayers. From 2004 to 2014, the City of Chicago paid out $500 million for police misconduct-related lawsuits, and New York City paid $175.9 million in civil judgments and claims during the 2019 fiscal year.
The 14th Amendment, ratified against a backdrop of violent killings of people of color by police, was intended to address and curb police brutality. However, critics argue that the Supreme Court has failed to recognize this historical context, enabling police brutality rather than constraining it. The court's interpretation of the amendment and the doctrine of “clearly established law” have made it challenging to hold officers accountable, resulting in a system that breeds police unaccountability.
Some states have taken steps to increase accountability for police misconduct and address racial disparities in policing. For example, Massachusetts decertifies officers for misconduct, and Connecticut, Maryland, and Wisconsin have passed laws requiring special prosecutors for cases of police misconduct. Additionally, Virginia and Philadelphia have enacted laws limiting police from making non-public safety traffic stops, which have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of Black drivers being stopped and searched. These efforts are crucial in addressing police brutality and advancing racial equity in the criminal legal system.
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The Three-Fifths Clause
Slaveholding states wanted their entire population to be counted to determine the number of Representatives they could elect and send to Congress. On the other hand, free states wanted to exclude the counting of slave populations in slave states, as those slaves had no voting rights. This disagreement led to a compromise, where three-fifths of each state's slave population was counted towards the state's total population for the purpose of apportioning the House of Representatives. This effectively gave the Southern states more power in the House relative to the Northern states.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was part of Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which states: "Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons." It is important to note that neither the word "slave" nor "slavery" appears in this clause or anywhere in the unamended Constitution.
The Three-Fifths Compromise has been a subject of debate and interpretation. Some argue that it relegated Blacks to "three-fifths of a person" status, while others, like James Madison, who proposed the ratio, explained that it was not meant to consider slaves merely as property but also as persons. The Compromise was later superseded and explicitly repealed by Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, which provided for the counting of the whole number of persons in each state, excluding untaxed Indians.
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Black billionaires
The notion of how much a Black man is worth has been a tragic and contentious issue since the beginning of the slave trade in the 16th century. The dehumanisation of Black people, their commodification, and the violence inflicted upon them has been perpetuated by police brutality and a flawed legal system. Despite this, Black individuals have risen to incredible heights of success, as evidenced by the growing number of Black billionaires.
According to Forbes' 2025 ranking, Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote is the world's richest Black person, with a net worth of US$28.3 billion. Dangote is the founder and CEO of the Dangote Group, the largest conglomerate in West Africa. He is followed by American IT entrepreneur David Steward, with an estimated net worth of $11.4 billion, and private equity billionaire Robert F. Smith, with a net worth of $10.8 billion.
Other notable Black billionaires include Saudi Arabian billionaire Mohammed Al Amoudi, with a net worth of $10.5 billion; American investor Robert Smith, with $12 billion; American businessman David Steward, with $12.8 billion; and media mogul Oprah Winfrey, with $3.7 billion. Rihanna, Jay-Z, and Kanye West are also among the Black billionaires, with net worths of $1.9 billion, $2.5 billion, and $2.7 billion, respectively.
While the presence of Black individuals on the Forbes list is commendable, it is important to acknowledge the underrepresentation of Black billionaires. Of the nearly 2,800 billionaires in the world, only 21 are Black, comprising less than 1% of the total. This disparity underscores the ongoing challenges and barriers faced by the Black community in terms of wealth accumulation and representation in positions of economic power.
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Black wealth-building
The wealth gap between Black and white Americans is a significant issue that has been perpetuated by historical and ongoing racial inequalities and systemic racism. This disparity is evident in various aspects of life, including economic, health, education, social justice, and civic engagement. Despite some progress, Black Americans still face barriers to building wealth and achieving economic opportunity. Here are some key considerations and strategies for Black wealth-building:
Addressing Systemic Racism and Racial Inequality
Systemic racism and racial inequality are deeply entrenched in American society and have contributed to the wealth gap. This includes historical injustices such as slavery, where Black people were treated as commodities, and modern-day injustices such as police brutality and a flawed court system that devalues Black lives. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach, including policy changes, increased awareness, and the dismantling of racist structures and ideologies.
Increasing Black Homeownership
Homeownership is a significant factor in wealth-building, and Black Americans have faced discrimination and barriers in this area. Initiatives like the Building Black Wealth campaign by the California Housing Finance Agency aim to increase Black homeownership by providing resources, education, and assistance with down payments. Addressing racial disparities in home valuations and combating redlining practices are also crucial steps in promoting equity and increasing Black homeownership rates.
Education and Student Debt
Differences in higher education opportunities and student loan debt contribute to the racial wealth gap. Black students often accumulate more student loan debt than their white peers, impacting their ability to build wealth after graduation. Organizations like the Student Freedom Initiative help address this issue by providing income-contingent funding options to potential student loan debtors, reducing the financial burden on Black students.
Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital
Supporting Black-owned businesses and startups is essential for wealth-building in the Black community. However, Black business owners face challenges in accessing venture capital investments. According to a report, Black entrepreneurs only receive about 1.2% of venture capital investments. Increasing investment in Black-owned businesses can bring job opportunities and revenue to underrepresented communities, helping to close the wealth gap.
Reparations and Policy Interventions
Implementing reparations and targeted policy interventions can help address the wealth gap. The compensatory model of reparations, focusing on economic compensation, restitution, and targeted investments, could be a strategy to consider. Additionally, addressing racial disparities in policies related to sentencing in the criminal justice system, creditworthiness, and hiring practices can contribute to creating a more equitable environment for Black Americans to build wealth.
Baby Bonds
Baby bonds are publicly funded trust accounts that some cities are using to invest in the future of low-wealth or low-income children. These programs can help reduce the wealth gap by providing funds for college, home purchases, or starting a business—opportunities that are typically available to those who inherit wealth. Early implementations of baby bond programs have shown promising results in reducing the Black-white wealth gap.
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Historical and modern devaluation of Black people
The devaluation of Black lives in America has a long and harrowing history, stretching back to the slave trade. The process of commodification and dehumanization began with the first African enslaved people brought to America, who were appraised, branded, and monetized. This set a precedent for the perception and treatment of Black people, which has continued to evolve and persist in various forms.
During the era of slavery, Black bodies were viewed as property, with individual qualities that were evaluated, appraised, and commodified through sale. This dehumanizing practice laid the foundation for the subsequent devaluation of Black lives. Even after the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, Black people continued to face violence, lynchings, and legalized segregation under Jim Crow laws. These laws marginalized Black lives and perpetuated racial discrimination, hindering their ability to gain equal access to opportunities and resources.
In the 20th century, racist federal housing policies, such as redlining, segregated Black communities and restricted their access to homeownership. Homeownership is a significant aspect of the American Dream, representing success, opportunity, and wealth accumulation. By denying Black people the opportunity to purchase homes, racist policies hindered their ability to build wealth, invest in businesses, and afford college tuition. This intergenerational wealth gap has had lasting consequences, contributing to disparities in education, employment, and economic mobility for Black individuals and communities.
Today, the devaluation of Black lives continues to manifest in various ways. Police brutality, a flawed criminal justice system, and racial bias in the real estate market contribute to systemic racism and state-sanctioned violence. In the average U.S. metropolitan area, homes in neighborhoods with a significant Black population are valued at approximately half the price of homes in neighborhoods with no Black residents. This devaluation of assets in Black neighborhoods further exacerbates the wealth gap and limits opportunities for Black individuals.
The impact of historical and modern devaluation is far-reaching, affecting not only the economic stability of Black communities but also their social and political standing. It is crucial to recognize and address these injustices, challenge systemic racism, and promote equitable opportunities for all.
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Frequently asked questions
The value of a Black man's life is priceless. However, in the context of police brutality and a flawed legal system, the settlement amounts from lawsuits have been used to calculate an average monetary value. For instance, New York City paid a total of $17.05 million for the deaths of Sean Bell, Akai Gurley, and Eric Garner, resulting in an average of $5,683,333 per life.
Historically, during the era of slavery in the United States, Black individuals were treated as commodities and assigned monetary values. The Three-Fifths Clause in the U.S. Constitution, while not directly about the worth of a Black person, was used as a formula for counting slaves for congressional representation and taxation.
The justice system, through police brutality, flawed court systems, and biased juries, reinforces the devaluation of Black lives. The lack of a national database for police shootings and the absence of mandatory reporting requirements for police departments contribute to the issue.
The devaluation of Black lives has led to state-sanctioned violence, police brutality, and a lack of accountability within the legal system. It perpetuates a history of racialized oppression and reinforces systemic racism.
Addressing the devaluation of Black lives requires acknowledging historical and present-day injustices. It involves dismantling systemic racism, holding individuals and institutions accountable, and promoting racial equality through policy changes and social initiatives.
