America's First Black Economist

Nina Banks, an associate professor at Bucknell University, discusses her research on African American women's economic history, focusing on Sadie Alexander, the first African American economist in the U.S. Banks highlights Alexander's concerns about unemployment and labor unions, advocating for a federal job guarantee to address economic insecurity. The video also explores the historical labor participation of African American women and the undervaluation of household work. Banks extends the discussion to unpaid work by women of color in communities, emphasizing its significance in challenging racial oppression and environmental issues.

What is the connection between the economy and democracy as discussed in the text?

Who was Sadie Alexander and what was her significance in the field of economics?

What were Sadie Alexander's concerns regarding unemployment and its impact on black workers?

How did Sadie Alexander propose to address economic insecurity in the United States?

In what ways did African American women contribute to the economy outside of their households?

What challenges do feminist economists face in quantifying the value of unpaid work?

How does the text suggest that increasing access to jobs could impact social issues in African American communities?