Congressional representatives claim they’re doing their best to pump urgent relief into the bank accounts of distressed American citizens.
But as word spread that some $1,200 Economic Impact Payment checks were already processed by the Internal Revenue Service, Black folks immediately sounded the alarm.
“Where’s the cash at, Uncle Sam?” We demanded. Sure, there is a check tracking tool and fact sheet on the IRS website to anticipate what relief is or is not heading your way. And official letters will be mailed from the IRS to some 9 million Americans in late September who’ve yet to claim their stimulus checks.
But there’s a major problem with this strategy.
Despite Black folks being disproportionately affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis - our higher contraction and fatality rates, higher unemployment rates, or lack of financial protection accessible to Black-owned businesses - some critics believe we should be grateful we’re getting ANYTHING at all.
Crazy, right?
Insisting that Black folks should feel content with pitifully insufficient supports is a common reaction to our outcry against injustice.
Pay that noise no mind. Our energy is better served demanding accountability and long-term strategies from our political representatives for handling the nation’s financial distress.
We sacrifice too much with our labor, tax revenue, and votes not to boldly demand better!
So cash that check, pay them bills, but also let these representatives know they still owe us more than a grand or two!