It’s in those moments when you’re forced to put your life on hold and you’re left with no choice but to help your family, that you realise that Black Tax is just not monetary and extends beyond the Rands and cents. The definition of Black Tax can be extended to the emotional distress your family puts you through.
Often, the price you pay is much higher than the money you send home every month or whenever there’s an emergency. If your family feels comfortable calling you in the middle of the night about a drunk uncle who needs to be bailed out for drunken driving, sibling rivalry amongst your aunt’s children, witchcraft other problem they’re struggling with, you’re paying the most expensive and toxic tax – emotional Black Tax.
Living through a pandemic has added to people’s woes because many families are now struggling with issues such as unemployed breadwinners, home schooling, burial costs, increased gender-based violence and other problems they feel comfortable offloading on you. Black Tax may be mandatory, but what is not compulsory is your family thinking it’s okay to call you for every problem they have.
