A Dallas area congresswoman has suggested that Black Americans could be exempted from paying taxes in lieu of reparation payments, drawing the attention of those who say income taxation is antithetical to freedom.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat who represents much of the central and southern parts of Dallas County, was being interviewed on the Black Lawyers Podcast when she brought up the idea of exempting black persons from taxation for a period of time as compensation for “the labor that was stolen and killed and all the other things” that occurred during slavery that have caused black people to fall “so far behind.”
Crockett said she was intrigued by the idea of a limited-time tax immunity because it deals with money that ostensibly already belongs to the person exempted. Therefore, the idea might find more support among the general population than reparation payments.
“That [exemption] puts money back in your pocket. But at the same time, it may not be as objectionable to some people about actually giving out dollars,” Crockett said.
Crockett noted one potential flaw in the idea of using an exemption as a helping hand: According to her, many black people make so little that they are not subject to income tax anyway.
The congresswoman said she was not prepared to endorse the concept yet but was interested in exploring it.
“I’d have to think through it a lot,” Crockett said.
Crockett’s words set off a firestorm on social media. Scott Adams, author and creator of the Dilbert comic strip, who is known for his libertarian musings, took to X to accuse Crockett of perpetuating racism with the idea of tax exemption based on race.
“Two people casually discussing how much of my money they deserve and what’s the best way to take it,” Adams said. “I have no respect for anyone who thinks I owe reparations because of my skin color.”
However, the idea of there being justified reasons to eliminate taxes did elicit input from the camp of Americans who view income tax as oppressive and possibly unconstitutional. Todd Peterson, co-founder of The American Tribune, expressed that sentiment.
“Woke Dem Rep proposes ending the income tax for black people because … why not? They get every other societal benefit already,” Peterson quipped before arguing that no one, regardless of race, should be forced to pay income tax.
“And while this clip is rightfully getting Jasmine Crockett torched online, the one thing no one is talking about is that she’s actually RIGHT about something. We SHOULD end the income tax. However, while she’s too stupid, racist, and partisan to say it, I will. Blacks shouldn’t pay an income tax. But neither should whites, Asians, Hispanics, and everyone else. Income tax is literal theft at gunpoint. And the government is pointing the gun.”
Peterson then invited the congresswoman to find a common cause with tax protesters. “We just need [Rep. Crockett] to now propose legislation abolishing the 16th amendment and eliminating the IRS. You can do it!”
