On Black Tax

I share my thoughts on an African financial framework.

The phrase 'black tax' is one which I've heard several times. However, I didn't understand what it meant until I found out the definition a few weeks ago. The idea of black tax is that any successful black individual has an unwritten obligation to provide financial support to his or her family members. The term originated in South Africa, but the concept is one I'm very familiar with as a Kenyan. 

Although I haven't began employed work yet; I have seen professionals constantly being called upon to provide support in one way or another to close relatives, extended family members and even people they aren't related to. This framework makes sense in an African context: African countries tend to be more collectivist; where support is important, particularly at the community level. Various fundraising initiatives that are carried out in Kenya come to mind: WhatsApp groups dedicated to raising funds to support a sick individual’s medical bills, or chamas, where a people in a group each contribute a certain amount of money each month to a communal fund to yield potential dividends.

The idea of ubuntu ("I am because we are") is a beautiful concept. We aren't just individuals; we are part of a larger community. The idea of charity; helping those around you, particularly individuals who need it the most, is a universal concept. People are given or acquire varying levels of resources over the course of their lives; and I do believe that those with abundance should use some of their resources to help those in need.

However, this can be difficult. Sometimes only one or two members in a family ‘make it’ (financially or otherwise) and are relied on to support the rest of the family. The issue is that the more people rely on you for financial support, the less support you’ll be able to give to each person (assuming your net worth remains constant). One should take note that the ‘black taxpayer’ isn’t an infinite source of money.  Looking to them as an all-encompassing messiah creates a sense of over-dependency. They have their own personal needs to take care of. As Eleanor Brown put it, one cannot “serve from an empty vessel.” We should also remember that the most successful members of society are people like us; who may need us to support them one day; financially or otherwise.

'Black tax' also creates entitlement issues. 'Since my cousin or brother-in-law has a well-paying job; they'll sort me out with everything. I don't need to work.' This is a dangerous mindset. There's a difference between a genuine dependent (children, the elderly, the sick etc.) and someone who is clearly capable of working but decides to mooch of someone else's success. No one should let laziness or fear ('I'm not as talented/fortunate as x') prevent them from working. I think it's paramount for Africans to remember that they can 'make their own otunje i.e. 'make their own sandwich (for those who don't know what an otunje is). We all have some capacity; no matter how small, to do something with our lives.