We find a sad irony in the fact that excess and unclaimed money left from the sale of property seized from Richmonders — many of whom are Black — and sold by the city to pay delinquent taxes will be used to create a memorial to enslaved Black people who were considered property.

The idea, generated by the mayor, was approved Monday night by Richmond City Council.

While the city has special tax relief programs to help elderly, low-income people and those who are permanently and totally disabled, what can be done to help people who fall behind on their real estate taxes so that their homes and property are not taken?

During this time of racial reckoning and examining the long-standing inequities between Black and white people that exist in our city and nation, how can we help bridge the wealth gap in our city? That gap is exacerbated by Black people losing property because of unpaid taxes.

Instead of using this unclaimed money from the sale of their property, how can the city help people to hang on to what they own?