The USDA Coalition for Minority Employees has been in the fight for justice for Black farmers and women employees of the USDA since 1994. Led by the passionate and forceful presence of Lawrence Lucas as president emeritus after he retired, the Coalition is still a force in the Black Farmer Movement. The Coalition which includes well over 100 individuals and groups was there when Senator Warren blamed Black land loss on the heirs' property problem. She responded quickly and graciously when we pushed back and said, "No, it is must more substantial than that. Look at the USDA and its egregious management of policies for farm operating loans, debt restructuring, and other matters." And she listened and developed a strong policy.
Then, Senator Sanders took up the fight with his policy. Then, Mike Bloomberg took up the fight. The Coalition was there with both of these candidates for president.
Then, as Joe Biden became president, his policy team took up the fight. Weak though it was, combined with his equity plan and other things, he was moving forward toward eliminating racism across the federal government. The Coalition was there advocating for an expansion of ideas.
Then, Warren's plan became The Justice for Black Farmers Act of 2020, authored by Booker and Warren and Gillibrand. Though it did not see the light of day in 2020, it was reintroduced with stronger support in 2021, this time with Warnock. Then, Senator Warnock introduced his "Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act," and that bill was added to the President's COVID relief act by the House Ag Committee.
Now, the President's COVID-relief act is up for debate and vote later this weekend. I will watch with much interest. We have communicated with Warren, Booker, and Warnock as to what we think hangs in the balance. We are pleased that they agree.
They all know, and we all know, though white America does not know, the degree of Black land loss since 1910, and how that land loss has diminished the generational wealth that Black farmers can pass on to their children. These senators know that there are less than 45,000 Black farmers in our country now, and that those farmers are continuing to loss their land in a large number of egregious ways.
This bill that is being debated by the Senate today can give a new start to Black farmers by wiping their debt clean, debt that is primarily interest upon interest based upon discriminatory actions of the USDA. It will provide much more to Black farmers and other minority farmers who have been tossed aside in the brutality of things.
Last night I was on a conference call with Black farmers from Georgia. The call was led by Tracy McCurty of Black Belt Justice and Acres of Ancestry. It was a strong meeting, full of energy and passion. I was moved by the large number of Black farmers, women and men, who are still fighting against insurmountable odds for the right to farm, to maintain their dignity as farmers upon the land, much of which has been in their families since the days of Reconstruction.
So, yes, it's time to wipe the slate clean, time to give Black farmers and other minority farmers a new day, and time for America to face its racism in the USDA, better known as "the last plantation."
I'll be watching for how senators in my state vote. I know how Ted Cruz and John Cornyn will vote. Shame on them. Maybe they'll surprise me, but I don't think so
It's time America, to address our history of racism. A good place to start is the USDA by creating systemic change there such that lawyers no long run civil rights, where there is a smooth path toward filing complaints and having them adjudicated when wrongs are done, and where policies and procedures are equally applied.
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