Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities

The deliberate devaluation of Blacks and their communities has had negative economic and social effects, but there is nothing wrong with Black people that ending racism can't solve. Andre Perry takes readers on a tour of six Black-majority cities whose assets and strengths are undervalued, providing an intimate look at the assets that should be of greater value to residents. Know Your Price demonstrates the worth of Black people's intrinsic personal strengths, real property, and traditional institutions, and provides a new means of determining the value of Black communities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2020
Publisher: Brookings Institution

The deliberate devaluation of Blacks and their communities has had profound and far-reaching economic and social consequences. A persistent white supremacist narrative asserts that the dire conditions in Black communities are primarily the result of Black people's collective choices and moral shortcomings. Statements like "That's just how they are" or "There's really no excuse" are often heard, masking underlying biases. However, it is important to recognize that there is nothing inherently wrong with Black people that ending racism cannot address. We have yet to fully grasp the potential benefits of properly valuing homes, businesses, family structures, voters, and school districts in Black neighborhoods. In his book, "Know Your Price," noted educator, journalist, and scholar Andre Perry takes readers on a tour of six Black-majority cities whose assets and strengths are often undervalued. Perry's personal journey begins in his hometown of Wilkinsburg, a small city east of Pittsburgh that faces challenges and struggles to attract new jobs and industry. He also highlights five other cities where he has deep connections: Detroit, Birmingham, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. Through intimate accounts, Perry provides a fresh perspective on the assets that should be of greater value to residents and how they can be recognized and valued. Perry's approach challenges traditional policies shaped by flawed perspectives of the past and present, offering new insights into the historical effects of racism and providing a new value paradigm to limit them in the future. "Know Your Price" highlights the intrinsic personal strengths, real property, and traditional institutions of Black people as a means of empowerment. Perry argues that these assets are essential in shaping their lives and communities. By recognizing and valuing these assets, we can work towards a more equitable and inclusive society.

Weight: 606g
Dimension: 161 x 238 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780815737278