One of the most insidious forms of racial discrimination and
injustice is the growing manifestation known as racially
motivated "economic segregation." Across the United States
during the eight years of the Bush administration between 2001
and 2008, banking and mortgage companies were systematically
deregulated. Black Americans, in particular, were
disproportionately targeted and segregated for subprime, high
interest mortgages and housing loans that were far beyond
acceptable lending practices. The result was massive financial
devastation and loss in the Black American community with the
highest foreclosure and bankruptcy rates in the nation. Today,
Black Americans are still reeling from the housing crisis
coupled with a debilitating unemployment rate beyond 14 percent.
But we are entering into a questionable period of American
history and politics when it is not popular or politically
correct for those who have been targeted for exploitation,
discrimination and economic injustice to speak out publicly for
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