Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 6

Still Paying the Price: Reparations in Real Terms | EP 1: A Family’s Silent Burden: The Killing of Arthur Davis

'Arthur Davis died on June 30, 1950, but the details surrounding his death raised questions about what really happened to him. His story was buried for years, until his grandson started investigating. Through family oral history, neighbor accounts, and troves of documents, Reginald Crawford was finally able to piece together how his grandfather died. Reported by Pamela Kirkland.'

Julianne Malveaux: Federal Trade Commission Hindering Black Economic Achievement

Federal Trade Commission Hindering Black Economic Achievement

by Julianne Malveaux | @drjlastword | special to NewBlackMan (in Exile)

The Biden Administration has been pushing hard for credit for its significant economic successes. Coining the phrase ‘Bidenomics,’ the term is meant to direct attention towards the administration’s striking successful economic agenda. Under President Biden, the rate of inflation has been more than cut in half, employers have created more than 13 million jobs, wage growth has outpaced inflation, and the unemployment rate of Black workers is at a record-breaking, historic low. Now, the administration wants the public to give them credit.

 

Yet, the key to widespread public support is not through grandiose statements or flashy catchphrases. Instead, it is through the ongoing prioritization of policy that enhances the everyday, lived experiences of Americans—especially Black Americans. On this front, the FTC can play a crucial role.

 

The Federal Trade Commission is charged with protecting American consumers from everyday threats permeating the domestic marketplace. Appointed by President Biden, Lina Khan now serves as Chair of the Commission, and she has adopted a unique, ultra-progressive approach to the FTC’s mandate.

 

Soon after assuming leadership, Chair Khan de-prioritized the consumer welfare standard, a time-tested precedent that puts individual wellbeing at the forefront of any and all policy discussion, deeming it “too narrow.” Instead, the Commission has embraced a broad view of consumer well-being, focusing on antitrust cases that could theoretically have sweeping, long-term impacts on the economy. While I appreciate this approach, a loss of focus on the FTC’s bread-and-butter consumer protection issues could have a devastating impact on Americans’ economic well being, especially those most vulnerable.

 

We have already witnessed the consequences of a loss of focus on fundamental issues at the FTC. As the Commission focused their energy on theoretical risks rather than real threats posed to consumers, consumer fraud cases soared. From 2021 to 2022, fraud losses increased by over 30%. Last year, alone, consumers lost $8.8 billion to fraudsters—and Black Americans are disproportionately suffering from the consequences of this tragic phenomenon.

 

According to the FTC’s Serving Communities of Color report, “predominantly Black communities filed consumer reports at a higher rate than predominantly White or Latino communities.” Beyond that, Black and Latino individuals have reported higher instances of fraud via payment methods that do not have refundable protections. Without a solution from the FTC, they remain at a loss—exacerbating income inequality for consumers already working in traditionally marginalized communities.

 

Americans are increasingly turning to gig economy work to make up for losses to increasing fraud, to keep up with rapid inflation, or simply to gain extra spending money. In fact, Black and Hispanic individuals are most likely to take up gig-work, compromising over half of workers in the industry. Nearly one-third of Hispanic adults have earned money through the gig economy, while over a quarter of African American adults have earned money through these platforms.

 

Despite this trend, Lina Khan has now turned her attention to gig economy workers, with the commission vowing to “use its full authority” to investigate gig companies and worker practices. At an FTC Open Meeting, app-based workers warned the Commission against pursuing unnecessary legislation. Advocacy groups like the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and National LGBT Chamber of Commerce called on the FTC to consider that these apps serve as a resource to members looking to empower themselves through another income stream.

 

Yet their pleas went unconsidered, and Khan decided to release a policy statement giving the FTC the power to regulate the American labor market in the form of gig-worker regulation—despite the fact that opposing Commissioners claimed the decision “meanders in and out of our jurisdiction into matters of employment law.” Once again, Khan prioritized her own agenda despite what Americans were telling her they needed on the ground. In the name of individual American wellbeing, this trend cannot continue.

 

The Biden administration claims its goal is to “lower costs and help entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive.” To achieve this, the FTC must recommit to its most fundamental pillar: the consumer welfare standard. This commitment will especially benefit Black Americans, who have become innocent bystanders as foolhardy legislation renders them even more vulnerable at the hands of scammers.

When Americans feel the impact of thoughtful policy, they will be vocal in their support. From gig-economy workers to small business owners to high level corporate executives—every single American benefits from a vigorous FTC committed to protecting consumer interests. It’s time that the FTC recommit to the day to day needs of consumers, rather than distant, theoretical policy ideals that do nothing benefit lived experiences of Americans. 

***

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA.

Trailer: REWIND THE '90s (National Geographic Television)

'Celebrities, eyewitnesses and pop culture pundits relive the most memorable moments of the decade that ushered in the new millennium. From Y2K to Viagra, Tupac to Titanic and Rock the Vote to RuPaul, REWIND THE '90s explores the forces that shaped the decade that changed the world forever.

The ten-episode docuseries Premieres Monday, July 31 at 9/8c on National Geographic and Aug 30 on Disney+.

 

Edge of Sports with Dave Zirin | What Happened to Black Activism in Professional Sports?

'The growth of the Black Lives Matter movement through the 2010s catalyzed a resurgence of Black activism in professional sports that had its climax in 2020 with the athletes' boycott following the shooting of Jacob Blake. Just a few years later, this energy seems to have dissipated. What happened, and how can we comprehend these recent events in the longer arc of Black activism in sports? Sports journalist and author Howard Bryant joins the Edge of Sports for a look at the build-up to 2020 and how many athletes' politics were co-opted in the aftermath.'

‘Gaining Ground’ Highlights Black Farmers’ Efforts to Reclaim Lost Land

'In 1910, about 14 percent of U.S. farmers were Black, owning more than 16 million acres. Now, according to the latest Census of Agriculture, only one in 100 farmers is Black, owning less than 5 million acres. A new documentary explores how this happened, its lasting effect on Black families and their efforts now to reclaim their legacy. Filmmaker Eternal Polk, writer and director of the film Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land joins John Yang to discuss.'

Tianna Esperanza Wields Strength and Humor to Process Trauma on 'Terror'

The singer-songwriter Tianna Esperanza talks about her debut album Terror, plus she performs live for World Cafe.

From the South Bronx to SE Durham: A Playlist for Year 32

SciGirls Stories: Black Women in STEM | Deanna Clemmer – An Invaluable Lab

'Deanna Clemmer speaks to the power of working in a lab that is fundamentally a Black lab, built by her mentor with a vision to provide young Black scientists with the tools to thrive in their field, an invaluable pathway to a better future.'

Between Reparations and Freedom | A Masterclass with Rinaldo Walcott

What does it mean to still be in the age of the long emancipation? Have African Americans, and the African diaspora in the New World more broadly, attained true freedom or merely emancipation? Are reparations the first step to graduating out of emancipation where a more equitable society can finally be constructed? Dr. Rinaldo Walcott, Chair of the Department of Africana and American Studies at the University of Buffalo, visits the From Slavery to Freedom Lab at the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute at Duke University to teach this masterclass derived heavily from his recent book, The Long Emancipation: Moving toward Black Freedom (Duke University Press).

Shonda Rhimes | The New Conversation with Dr. Dwight A. McBride

'Shonda Lynn Rhimes is a television screenwriter, producer, and author, as well as the C.E.O. of digital media company Shondaland. She is best known as the showrunner—creator, head writer, and executive producer—of Grey’s Anatomy, the political thriller series Scandal, and as the main producer of Netflix’s Bridgerton.'