Breaking the Cash-Lined Ceiling: Fireside Chat with Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman on The Double Tax (2 Points)

On September 25th, I had the pleasure of attending the panel on Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman’s book, The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid. Forbes 30 under 30 2023 Boston honoree, Harvard doctoral candidate, and fellow Ghanaian-American, Opoku-Agyeman is a thought leader in public policy and economics. A look into her life’s work, The Double Tax delves into the complexities of the Black dollar through extensive research utilizing focus groups and personal experience. Building upon the concept of the “pink tax” or how products explicitly marketed towards women are marked up compared to men’s products, the idea of The Double Tax is that Black women experience more financial burdens from the economic strain that comes with our intersectional identities. 

What I found most interesting was the discussion regarding the wage gap and how that also contributes to the economic disparities between Black women and other racial and gender groups. Opoku-Agyeman delved into her own experience, discussing how, in one of the first jobs she was offered post-graduation, she was lowballed for her wages and had to advocate for herself to be adequately compensated. These are common occurrences in the Black community, especially for Black women. According to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2023, the wage gap between White Non-Hispanic men and Black women was around 31%. With the current high cost of living for Black women, Opoku-Agyeman vocalized the importance of solidarity within the workplace, advocating for adequate wages regardless of sex and gender, and voicing concerns regarding fair pay. Additionally, she shared her hopes for continued research regarding the financial impacts systemic racism has on our communities.

The book discussion truly brought Opoku-Agyeman’s work to life, giving us a better understanding of the full extent of Black women’s challenges in the current economic sphere. In the typically white, male-dominated field of economics, the potential financial impacts of intersectional racism have not been fully explored. Research like hers is critical, especially in our current recession and its adverse effects on marginalized communities of color. Overall, I have gained a new perspective and interest in economics and am grateful for Opoku-Agyeman's presence on our campus! I encourage everyone to read The Double Tax; it is quite an enlightening experience. 

        - Caitlyn Oppong