If you’re not talking about money, you’re not talking about America. For centuries, Black communities have been on the frontlines of political and economic battles, often fighting policies designed to push them backward after every step of progress. Today, as systemic changes sweep through executive orders, legislative actions, and court decisions, it’s clearer than ever that understanding history is essential to making sense of the present—and safeguarding the future.
A Pattern Written in History: Reconstruction and Backlash
Throughout America’s history, Black progress has often triggered massive backlash. After slavery ended, the Reconstruction era (1865-1877) brought incredible advancements for African Americans. With the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, rights like citizenship and voting were finally enshrined in law. Black legislators began serving at local, state, and national levels, and freed Black Americans started building wealth through businesses and property ownership. Taxpayer-funded public education became a reality largely thanks to Black leaders pushing it into state constitutions.
However, this progress wasn’t allowed to stand. By 1877’s “Great Compromise,” federal troops were pulled out of southern states, leaving Black people vulnerable to racist state governments. Jim Crow laws quickly followed, dismantling those hard-earned rights and plunging America into nearly a century of legally enforced segregation.
This cycle repeated itself during the Civil Rights Movement, another “Reconstruction” period. Achievements like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 marked significant victories. Yet, just as momentum built, White America’s backlash began again. Political shifts in the 1980s under Reagan laid the groundwork for rolling back progress, particularly through attacks on affirmative action and economic parity.
The Fallout of Economic Targeting
What’s happening today is no accident—it’s part of a coordinated effort. The GOP, energized by its most conservative factions, has systematically aimed to undo decades of progress for Black Americans. The gutting of affirmative action programs, restrictions on diversity-focused initiatives, and challenges to voting rights are just a few examples. But there’s a thread connecting these decisions: economics.
Historically, laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1866 aimed to ensure newly freed Black Americans had not only civil rights but also economic access. By guaranteeing they could make and enforce contracts, the law was about creating a framework for Black Americans to participate fully in society’s economic systems. Fast forward to now—each effort to dismantle affirmative action, diversity programs, and federal protections is fundamentally an attack on economic opportunities for Black people.
The numbers don’t lie. Federal government jobs have long been a crucial path for Black Americans to access stable, high-paying careers. With new executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, many Black workers and entrepreneurs now face shrinking opportunities. The ripple effect is devastating.
- Black-owned businesses lose access to government and corporate contracts.
- Black employment in federal agencies is at risk, threatening middle-class stability.
- Education access shrinks as attacks on Pell Grants and HBCU funding gain steam.
These policies aren’t about creating “fairness”; they’re about consolidating power and control. Political shifts that gut Black economic stability set communities back for generations.
Beyond the Headlines: Targeting Black Leadership and Representation
What’s especially alarming is how these moves aim to dismantle Black leadership. From the workplace to the ballot box, policies attacking representation are designed to marginalize Black voices.
For example, recent Supreme Court decisions have chipped away at the Voting Rights Act, limiting protections once designed to combat racial discrimination. The result? Fewer Black leaders elected to office, fewer advocates for policies benefitting Black Americans, and an easier path for regressive policies to take hold.
At the same time, we’re witnessing attacks on the foundations of Black culture and empowerment. From efforts to ban books and eliminate critical race theory to targeting historically significant holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the underlying goal is clear: erase awareness of systemic racism and rewrite history to benefit those in power.
The Real-Life Consequences
What does this look like in practice? It’s not theoretical. Scholarships for Black students are being rescinded. Job offers in federal agencies are being pulled back. Black professionals in top fields are losing opportunities as DEI programs are dismantled. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a larger strategy to strip away gains made in the name of inclusion and equal opportunity.
For Black communities, this means fewer resources to build wealth, less access to quality education, and weaker chances of climbing the economic ladder. Without organized action, this backslide will hurt generations to come.
Why Voting Still Matters
All of this underscores one fundamental truth: voting is still one of the most powerful tools available to fight back. Every period of regression in American history has been tied to the erosion of political power. Elections influence not just who sits in office but which laws are passed—and whether they protect or harm Black communities.
For instance, Chief Justice John Roberts famously pointed to record Black voter turnout during Obama’s elections as evidence for weakening the Voting Rights Act. Since then, voter turnout has dropped, giving more power to those eager to gut protections. Simply put, when we don’t vote, we give up our leverage—and our communities pay the price.
It’s About the Money
Every attack on civil rights is ultimately about economic control. Whether policies aim to roll back affirmative action, weaken public education, or suppress Black businesses, the end goal is the same: maintain White dominance in wealth and decision-making.
Corporations play a role too. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, companies pledged billions in support of racial equity. But as backlash brewed, many reversed course. The only way to hold those in power accountable is to hit them where it hurts—economics. Black communities generate billions in spending power, and it’s time to wield that power more strategically. Think long and hard before supporting companies that don’t support you.
What Comes Next?
The attacks we see today are deeply rooted in history. They’re designed to disrupt Black progress, sow division, and reinforce inequality. But history also shows that Black resilience has no bounds. From Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement to the fight for justice today, Black Americans have consistently risen against oppression—and will continue to do so.
The path forward won’t be easy. But it’s clear: understanding history, organizing strategically, and staying politically engaged are non-negotiable. The stakes are high, but the fight isn’t over.
Let’s not wait until the damage is done to take action. As history has shown us, progress is possible—but it requires vigilance and effort from all of us.
