DECOLONIZE YOUR MIND, LESSON 2 Extended

 THE DIVESTMENT OF BLACK COMMUNITIES + THE  CREATION OF THE “GHETTO”

The ghettos did not create themselves. Many people, Black included, know this, yet still participate in destructive norms that continue to break down our communities.

1. How were the ghettos formed?

In short, our government, deemed areas where Black people, even middle class “respectable” Black people, unworthy to receive federal loans. Private companies did the same. This started around the time of the Great Depression. 

2. Don’t forget, Black people never really got reparations for slavery.

Reparations is a conversation for another lesson. But considering that 

3. But the North was some haven, right? Opportunity was up there. 

But nonetheless, millions of Black people came up North in an exodus. The government, in order to house these new residents, built the dingy places we know as the ghettos.

4. If you didn’t know, schools and other things are funded by your taxes. 
This means, for Black people who’s housing looked like prisons and who can barely get jobs due to, well, racism  and a lack of jobs, they didn’t have much of a tax base. Meaning, schools aren’t invested in. People don’t get educated. 

For more information on the Decolonize Your Mind papers, email
jeremy@itsjer.com

LEARN MORE:
Read MK Asante’s It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop for an amazing, insightful word on the creation of the ghetto.