Trump’s New FairTax: The Crossroads of Black Economic Revival or Collapse
Today’s Grassroots Corner is an article from Damon K. Jones in Black Westchester (Westchester County, New York). You can read the article at this link: https://blackwestchester.com/trumps-new-fairtax-the-crossroads-of-black-economic-revival-or-collapse/. Mr. Jones makes a compelling point about embracing economic independence, but he may be off about some of the details of the FAIRtax, which our editorial notes will point out. We understand that Mr. Jones has not studied the FAIRtax as intensely as most of us have, so he deserves some slack. The original headline calls the FAIRtax Trump’s new tax, but Trump has never specifically endorsed it, although we wish he would. Mr. Jones writes:
“If Congress passes the FairTax Act of 2025, Black America will face a defining moment that will either spark an economic awakening or accelerate financial collapse. This bill eliminates federal income taxes, payroll taxes, and the IRS, replacing them with a 23% national sales tax on nearly every new good and service we buy.
“At first glance, it sounds like freedom—more take-home pay, no tax returns, no audits. But beneath the surface, this is a system designed to punish consumers and reward owners, savers, and investors. For a community conditioned into consumerism, this shift is more than policy—it’s a test of survival.
[Editor’s Note: The effect that the FAIRtax will have on consumer prices is likely to vary somewhat depending on the specific product or service in question. However, in all cases, the FAIRtax removes the many embedded costs of the income tax system that are now deeply hidden in the prices of everything we buy today. Consumers may see modestly higher prices with the FAIRtax, although some studies have concluded that retail prices will actually go down when the FAIRtax eliminates all those embedded costs. Also, the FAIRtax eliminates the one tax that hits low-income working people the hardest—the federal payroll tax. Economists widely agree that economic opportunities for consumers, including black consumers, will increase with the FAIRtax. Research has shown that those with the least to spend will benefit the most from FAIRtax.]
“For too long, Black America has been trapped in a culture where success is measured by what we spend, not what we own. We’ve been targeted by corporations, misled by political elites, and distracted by symbolic victories, while the foundation of real economic power—ownership, investment, and financial literacy—has been ignored.
“Supporters of the FairTax highlight the monthly rebate as protection for working families. Every legal resident household would receive a check designed to cover the taxes on necessities up to the poverty level. But let’s be clear—this rebate isn’t a pathway to prosperity. It’s a bare-minimum survival check. A family of four might receive around $575 a month. A single person, about $279: that’s enough to cover groceries and basic living expenses, but beyond that, every dollar spent is fully exposed to a 23% tax. For Black households already living paycheck to paycheck, striving for anything beyond survival will come at a steep price.
[Editor’s Note: The “Prebate” was never intended to be a guaranteed minimum income as this article suggests. It’s simply a refund of the FAIRtax paid on essentials. It is the mechanism that ensures that no family, rich or poor, pays the FAIRtax on their basic necessities. Families that can only afford their basic essentials and little more will pay little to no FAIRtax out of their own pockets. Most importantly, remember that the FAIRtax is not an additional tax that’s going to make everything incredibly more expensive. It replaces a whole host of taxes that people are paying today. The cost of living is not going to skyrocket with the FAIRtax.
Furthermore, the figures are outdated and do not account for the Prebate’s elimination of the marriage penalty. The HHS figures that form the basis for the Prebate’s calculation do not eliminate this penalty.]
“The numbers speak for themselves. Black America holds $1.8 trillion in spending power, yet only a mere two percent circulates within Black-owned businesses. The median Black household possesses just $24,100 in wealth, compared to $188,200 for white households—a gap driven not by income, but by ownership. Only thirty-four percent of Black households invest in the stock market, while sixty-one percent of white households do. In a system where spending is taxed and wealth is not, these statistics aren’t just data points—they’re a warning sign.
”But this isn’t the first time we’ve faced economic exclusion. After emancipation, when we were locked out of America’s financial systems, we built our own. From Black Wall Street in Tulsa to countless other self-sufficient Black communities, we proved that we could create thriving economies rooted in ownership, cooperation, and discipline when forced to rely on ourselves. We didn’t wait for government programs or corporate acceptance—we built, owned, and circulated our dollars.
“Today, history is calling us to do it again. But this time, survival won’t come just from strategy—it must come from transforming our thinking. Economics can no longer be treated as a side conversation or something left to experts. It must become part of our faith, culture, and identity. Financial literacy should be taught in our homes, preached in our churches, and discussed in every corner of our community. Saving, investing, and supporting Black businesses must be viewed not as options but as obligations.
“We must also stop looking to the Black elite for leadership in this fight. For decades, they’ve led us down a road paved with symbolism and personal gain, delivering speeches while delivering nothing for the masses. They’ve chased corporate seats and media visibility while leaving the people they claim to represent stuck in poverty and debt. When the FairTax takes effect, they won’t feel its weight, but every day Black families will.
“The truth is simple. The FairTax Act will either force Black America to embrace economic independence, or it will expose the consequences of generations spent prioritizing consumption over ownership. If we continue to define success by what we wear, drive, or post online, this system will tax us into economic irrelevance. But if we return to the principles that once made our communities strong—discipline, cooperation, and a commitment to building—we can turn this challenge into a victory.
“Booker T. Washington once said, “At the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion, there must be economic independence.” That wisdom is more relevant today than ever. Black America must decide: will we rise as owners, investors, and builders, or will we let a culture of spending and misguided leadership lead us to destruction?
“We have done it before, and we can do it again—but only if we turn economics into faith, culture, and daily action before it’s too late.”
ABOUT DAMON K. JONES
Damon K. Jones https://damonkjones.com
A multifaceted personality, Damon is an activist, author, and the force behind Black Westchester Magazine, a notable Black-owned newspaper based in Westchester County, New York. With a wide array of expertise, he wears many hats, including that of a Spiritual Life Coach, Couples and Family Therapy Coach, and Holistic Health Practitioner. He is well-versed in Mental Health First Aid, Dietary and Nutritional Counseling, and has significant insights as a Vegan and Vegetarian Nutrition Life Coach. Not just limited to the world of holistic health and activism, Damon brings with him a rich 32-year experience as a Law Enforcement Practitioner and stands as the New York Representative of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America.
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Editor: Mr. Jones is spot-on in calling for a return to discipline, cooperation, and a commitment to building. Those who follow through on these principles will benefit enormously from the FAIRtax. Consumers may initially see higher prices, but offsets and economic opportunity will raise their purchasing power. The FAIRtax raises up blacks and everyone else. I would love to hear from you if you know someone like Damon K. Jones.
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🇺🇸 Call For Pictures & WriteUps - We need more of you to send in pictures and news. If you have something to share, please send your material to me, Jim.Bennett@FAIRtax.org, (908) 578-4975, or fax (908) 598-2888. When others see your activity, they are inspired, and the process snowballs. When the process snowballs, Congress Members, Senators, and even the President start to listen.