Who started this?
I'm just a Black father with a PhD, in my mid 40s, who is tired of my generation sitting back doing nothing to help our kids... and I'm embarrassed that I've allowed myself to exist convinced that the only way to live as a Black man in America was to follow their ever-changing rules in their game. My 18th birthday was ruined by a White police officer falsely accusing me of selling drugs and degrading me in front of the entire neighborhood. I, Dr. Ron McCowan, am an angry, outraged, and tired Black Man; and I'm done encouraging my Black brethren to stay calm, patient, and silent!
Who are we?
We are Black Americans taking action to demand that our Universal Human Rights be honored and protected for us and our children to come. The #Declaration2120 outlines more than 25 grievances (aligned to 7 grievances and 3 impact goals) regarding human rights violations occurring against us, and is based on the following source: Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The General Assembly of the United Nations, 2015; retrieved from: https://www.un.org/en/udhrbook/pdf/udhr_booklet_en_web.pdf
What actions are we taking?
We are (a) recommending that every Black American immediately change their IRS W-4 status to “Exempt”; (b) either refuse to pay federal income taxes as of June 19, 2020 until June 30, 2120 (i.e., either do not file income taxes, file with a status of exempt, or only file if you are guaranteed a refund); and (c) text, tweet, message, and encourage others to do the same.
We are NOT taking or requesting “reparations” for 400 years of slavery or the previous 155 years of de facto segregation or systemic racism. We are simply demanding (a) a FAIR and LIMITED opportunity to acquire a moderate level of wealth by refusing to comply with an UNJUST and OPPRESSIVE system of TAXATION WITHOUT EQUAL REPRESENTATION, and (b) that the American elites create new systems and structures that will allow OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS to fully experience America as a land of economic, social, political, and legal justice and opportunity.
#EndUnjustTax4Blacks
#NoTaxationWithoutProportionateRepresentation
We don’t want:
Why this, why now?
Our human rights continue to be violated. This isn’t simply a matter of politics or “he said/she said”. We have outlined more than 25 human rights violations that the U.S. is currently committing against Our People in 2020… not from 1820, or 1920. The Declaration of Independence was created by the Founders of this nation to protect citizens, or The People, against unfair taxation without representation. Our Peoples’ rights are continually violated, and we are not fairly represented in American political, economic, justice, or legal institutions. This “tax break” or “tax credit” for 100 years will allow our people to build more wealth instead of solely depending on our income, and place intense pressure on American elites to identify real solutions to America’s problems of inequality of opportunity.
Now is the time:
USA TODAY: America has chance to finally crush systemic racism. We must seize the moment...
Other FAQs:
Will I go to jail or get arrested?
ANSWER: Not if we can get at least 1 million Black Americans to refuse to pay taxes, and definitely not if we can get most Black Americans on board. We are not even going as far as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin. They declared independence and picked up arms to create the greatest nation in the world. We are following their approach to outlining our grievances, and We are seeking immunity from the United Nations as well as through all legal means possible within the U.S. There is a 0% chance that the U.S. will imprison, or re-enslave, over 40 million Black Americans, accounting for approximately 13% of the U.S. population. It is simply not possible.
My political beliefs are that more money needs to go to education, healthcare, etc.
ANSWER: This is not a political party or movement, and we are not advocating any specific policy or approach. This is civil disobedience, this is #OurOnlyRealPower or leverage to accomplish all that you desire expeditiously and permanently. Many good ideas are passed into law, only to be defunded by the next set of elected officials (i.e., Obamacare). #Declaration2120 will require both political parties to work together for real change because they will be losing a substantial portion of the tax money they kickback to their lobbyists and other pork-barrel politics. Keep fighting for whatever you believe in, just stop funding the oppressor who offers no permanent relief from oppression. Would you keep paying a contractor who put a whole in your roof, promises to fix the roof and replace damaged possessions, but never shows up to make repairs? Take your tax money and start a movement to get whatever else you want. #DoWhatchaDo, just don’t keep giving money to the system of oppression.
I am not sure if my religious beliefs allow for civil disobedience.
ANSWER: Take your tax money and donate it to your religious institution instead. I’m sure your pastor, minister, bishop, rabbi, priest, spiritual guide, etc., won’t be disappointed in you.