The Decline of Black Farmers: A History of Land Theft and Systemic Racism
In the heart of America's agricultural landscape lies a story of resilience and systemic injustice: the decline of Black farmers. For generations, Black farmers have faced an uphill battle against a legacy of land theft, discriminatory policies, and economic disparities that have left them marginalized and struggling to hold onto their livelihoods.
The history of Black farmers in the United States is marked by a cruel irony. Since the end of chattel slavery, Black farmers have fought against the odds to till the land where so much trauma lies in order to feed our communities. Yet, despite their contributions to the nation's agricultural wealth, these farmers have been denied access to land, credit, and support.
One of the most egregious examples of this injustice is the legacy of land theft. Approximately 98% of Black farmers have been disproportionately targeted for land confiscation, often through fraudulent means such as deceptive legal tactics or violent intimidation. As a result, Black families have lost an estimated 12 million acres of land that could have been passed down to future generations.
But the injustices don't end there. For decades, government agencies like the USDA have favored white farmers, providing them with greater access to loans, subsidies, and other forms of financial support. This disparity in resources has put Black farmers at a severe disadvantage, making it difficult for them to compete in an industry already dominated by large, corporate agribusinesses.
The consequences of this systemic racism are stark. Black farmers are more likely to face foreclosure, bankruptcy, and loss of their land due to discriminatory lending practices and unequal access to support programs. In recent years, the USDA has settled two class-action lawsuits filed by Black farmers who drew attention to discrimination in loan and loan servicing programs. These settlements, totaling billions of dollars, were both long overdue and nowhere near enough to undo decades of institutional racism within the agricultural sector.
In recent years, efforts to provide debt relief to Black farmers as part of the American Rescue Plan of 2021 have faced fierce opposition, with some farm organizations claiming that the relief discriminated against white farmers. After generations of being denied access and the freedom to do what they love for their communities and families, Black farmers are again forced to keep fighting against institutional racism in the farming industry.
As we reflect on the legacy of Black farmers in America this Black History Month, we confront the injustices of the past and work towards a future where all farmers have an equal opportunity to thrive. It is time to break the cycle of discrimination and oppression that has plagued every aspect of this country’s story and build an equitable and inclusive food system for generations to come.
