OPINION — The 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is a moment to celebrate the ideals that gave birth to this country. But the anniversary also presents an opportunity to ask a difficult question: What does it mean to honor a nation founded on equality when its tax code continues to reinforce inequality?
Tax laws are often viewed as a technical collection of rates, deductions and credits. In reality, they are among the most powerful tools through which the nation decides who gets economic opportunity. The tax code deserves closer scrutiny — not simply as a mechanism for raising revenue, but as a tool that has helped drive racial wealth disparities for generations.
The connection between tax policy and racial injustice goes back to the nation’s founding. The Constitution linked taxation and political representation through the Three-Fifths Compromise, embedding racial hierarchy into the country’s governing framework. Enslaved Black people generated enormous wealth for white slaveholders, fueling the country’s economic growth while receiving none of the economic benefits.
