What your credit score actually means — Vox, 2023, 12:37 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0TQlgoUHRE

This video features sociologist Frederick Wherry and critiques the dominance of credit scores in our society. About 45 million Americans lack a credit score, and not having one (or having a low credit score) can make it nearly impossible to lease an apartment, secure a job, or get car insurance, and it creates barriers related to many other life necessities. Ironically, these scores were supposed to reduce bias when discerning an individual’s creditworthiness, but even today, the people who face the most barriers related to credit scores are largely social minorities. This video teaches us about the history of credit scores, how they are calculated, where they are used, and why they have become a form of social stratification. We also learn about how historical redlining and other intersecting forces of social inequality manifest in how contemporary creditworthiness is assessed.

It may be interesting to research other ways credit scores can impact daily life in subtle ways. How might this system be reformed in more equitable ways?

From the video’s description: It’s not just you. Credit scores are confusing as hell. When credit scores were invented just a few decades ago, they were hailed as a way to democratize lending. Today, they’ve become so essential that not having one can essentially lock you out of daily life. Having a low score can make life challenging, too. These scores have a long history — and a lot of problems. In this video, we’ll show you where they came from, how they’ve changed over the years, and actually explain what that three-digit number means for you.