Friday, May 28,2010
Black Farmers Will Lobby Senate for Quick Action, Seek Meeting with President Obama
WASHINGTON, DC — John W. Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives approved funding – as part of a larger – for the historic settlement to resolve decades of discrimination against black farmers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“With today’s action, we are one important step closer to bringing justice for the tens of thousands of black farmers in this country whose lives and livelihoods were impacted by discrimination from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“It is important to recognize speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues in the House leadership for their work. It is also important to recognize the tireless and ongoing efforts of the Congressional Black Caucus.
“We look forward to working with the Senate, following the holiday recess, to ensure passage of these funds as soon as possible. Every delay means the likelihood of more farm foreclosures and more black farmers who will not live to see the day they receive the payments they have waited for and deserve.
“I would like to extend my request for a meeting with President Obama so I can ask for his personal help in working with the Senate to resolve this matter and the other issues facing the Black farmers.”
Reid: Republicans Blocking Justice For Minority Farmers And Native American Trust Account Holders
May 7, 2010
Washington, D.C.—Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement today after Republicans blocked a unanimous consent request to provide funding for the settlement of lawsuits by black farmers and Native American trust account holders:
“Where we see injustices, it is our responsibility to stand up for those who need a voice. That’s why I am pleased that this morning, Senate Democrats attempted to correct historic injustices for black farmers and Native American trust account holders. This represents a long-standing commitment on my part to seek a fair resolution to these issues. Not to mention, we must continue working to resolve other cases of discrimination at the Department of Agriculture against Hispanic and women farmers. Unfortunately, Republican obstruction denied justice to those who only seek fair settlement of their grievances.
“There is no excuse for Republicans to continue to employ these partisan delay tactics – in this case, as in so many others, they are only hurting those who were wronged and are fighting for what is rightfully theirs. We will continue to work on this issue until it is resolved. My view on this is simple: justice delayed is justice denied.”
Obama backs $1.25 billion payment to black farmers who suffered government racism for decades
The first black president seems determined to make the U.S. government finally settle the claims of 70,000 black farmers, people whose hopes were crushed by government racism. Obama has championed a $1.25 billion settlement that would put these claims to rest.
Termed by some the “last plantation,” the Department of Agriculture for decades systematically denied loans, crop subsidies and other aid to black farmers, at one point bringing them to near extinction.
In the 1920s, blacks operated one of every seven U.S. farms. By 1992, the number had sunk to one in 100.
Meanwhile, many of their white neighbors’ farms prospered. But it wasn’t always because white farmers were harder workers, smarter with agriculture or luckier with the weather. They were given help denied blacks. That’s racism.
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