Mikel Obi has sent X [formerly Twitter] agog as he reveals the unending financial obligations to family members and relations that people like him are expected to bear simply because, as he described it, “when you hit it big, your money isn’t your own.”
This obligation is generally known as ‘Black tax’ among Africans.
According to Wikipedia, Black tax is a term that originated in South Africa which refers to money that Black workers, especially professionals and others with higher income, give to their parents, siblings, or other family members, often out of obligation or a deeply ingrained sense of family responsibility.
Another online platform, Investopedia, also states that Black tax refers to the financial burden borne by Black people who have achieved a level of success and who provide support to less financially secure family members. These monetary transfers are generally made between middle class and well-to-do Black people and relatives who are struggling to make ends meet.
Such obligations range from paying school fees of your relations, to building houses for them, helping them to pay rent, sending them on holy pilgrimage, settling medical bills, giving monthly upkeep, etc., etc.
See the various reactions:
Mikel Obi opened a transportation company for his father that plied on Jos to South east states..Guess what the Father squandered the resources
Mikel Obi spoilt Ebere Obi so much that he was driving BMW X6 to training while playing as a goal keeper for Rangers Enugu state as…
— Chief Ikukuoma (@IkukuomaC) November 17, 2023
When you marry someone that has been paying black tax and he stops or reduces because of more responsibilities, they’ll label you, the wife as a wicked and bad person.
— 😇 (@shugaglow_) November 18, 2023
On black tax, my cardinal rule is: BE MEASURED.
You are not the saviour.
For immediate family (friends), stretch.
Extended & external, do your best.
And don’t forget to block when necessary. Nobody is above blocking.
I go even block myself if I overbill myself.
— Dami (@DareOgunmowo) November 18, 2023
This black tax thing is so difficult ehn, it can literally ruin your life.
If I’ll give random family members money, I loan it to them. I won’t dash you, except my parents and sisters.
I know you probably won’t return the loan, and you can’t come back for another.
Win win. 👍🏽
— Digital Market Woman (@oyinakindele) November 18, 2023
This black tax subject is DEEP!!! So if you DO NOT have ungrateful and entitled people as Parents/ Siblings/ Uncles/ Aunts/Cousins etc sit this one out!!!
It’s a lot of pain and burden wrapped and thrown at you, right in the face.
And they will ask you, what have you really done?— The Souvenir Whisperer 🎁 (@Inzaghi1) November 18, 2023
Per black tax, you can’t save everyone, don’t play saviour.
— Latifat Adebayo-Ohio (@Phatill) November 18, 2023
The solution to black tax isn’t earning more. Black tax is a cankerworm that will eat deep and deep into your finance, the higher you earn.
The solution is to understand priorities and learn how to say no.
Learn it, else, you’ll never have anything to show for your hard work.
— Digital Market Woman (@oyinakindele) November 18, 2023
Black tax contributed immensely to where I am today and I’m eternally grateful to every family member who took a bet on me to support my dreams and aspirations.
Some of us are living proof that empowering people with education & establishing them makes the difference in the… pic.twitter.com/IzPy4P71Ms
— Olalekan Abiola (@lekancious) November 18, 2023
Tbh the funny thing about black tax is
You won’t know there’s a whole lot of billing around you, till you start making money
That’s when they will inform you about the plenty problems of this world
— CM ™️ (@Calebmusicc) November 18, 2023
Igbo people will write the encyclopedia of black tax and how it become a responsibility after the war.
You just had to do it, as long at you got out then you had to get others out
It became of thing of pride and respect if you were able and it led to a lot of entitlement from…
— Wolfie 🐺 (@TheIgboWolf) November 18, 2023
Still on this black tax, should we talk about people who are givers to their extended family yet their immediate family suffers…
meanwhile everyone is thinking “if you give this much to outsiders then your immediate family must be enjoying” …
— SisiYėmmié.com 🌶 (@Sisi_Yemmie) November 18, 2023
One form of black tax is where your extended family moves into your parents’ home and claim that they’re helping you take care of your aged parents, since you’re not in the country. Then they proceed to bill you for every sickness and medication on this earth.
— E K E T I (@eketiette) November 18, 2023
See the video:
When u make it in the game…. Beware! 🧨💰👀 pic.twitter.com/Xv04xpywsp
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) November 16, 2023
