Real life, not learned in school

  As a realtor and a black man, the history of redlining and the ways it continues to impact communities today is something I strive to be aware of. Understanding the history of the communities I work with is essential for every relationship I build.  The practice of redlining was discovered in the 1960s when it became clear that the government was intentionally not investing in communities of color. This practice directly impacted black families and their ability to purchase a decently priced home that gain equity (Hayes, 2023). Redlining is an inherently discriminatory act that delayed the progress of communities of color for decades to come.  A prime example of the continuous impact of redlining  From the same article, Hayes explains that in 1996, homes in redlined neighbors priced at less than half of the homes the government deemed “best” for lending (Hayes, 2023). Even if you kept your home in a redlined neighborhood after combating things like gentrification, ...

  Credit is one aspect of financial literacy we have all heard of at least once in our lives because you need it to buy most things. Acquiring credit is exceptionally more difficult when you are low-income because it tends to perpetuate a cycle of dependence. For credit to provide people with success, people must not be forced to use it from a place of scarcity. Credit as an alternative to welfare The article from Rachel E. Dwyer titled “ Credit, Debt, and Inequality " provides information surrounding the presumed purpose for the expansion of credit. The book has a chapter, explaining that credit functioned as a “welfare trade-off” because it gave people access to things like land, housing, education, and insurance without the use of welfare resources.  The article from Dwyer goes on to explain that Americans must make investments that improve security, freedom, and democracy but this can only be achieved with the right kind of credit. As a result, people seek out credit and a...