A Windfall for Minority Farmers Divides Rural America
Jack Healy, New York Times, May 22, 2021
Shade Lewis had just come in from feeding his cows one sunny spring afternoon when he opened a letter that could change his life: The government was offering to pay off his $200,000 farm loan, part of a new debt relief program created by Democrats to help farmers who have endured generations of racial discrimination.
It was a windfall for a 29-year-old who has spent the past decade scratching out a living as the only Black farmer in his corner of northeastern Missouri, where signposts quoting Genesis line the soybean fields and traffic signals warn drivers to go slow because it is planting season.
BRIAN O CONNELL
The Journal Times recently published a commentary by Libby Sobic of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty about education. I am grateful for the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Racine Unified School District Board of Education.
First and foremost, we want to celebrate the work of all our employees over the past 14 months. Since the day schools closed last March, our staff members have put students first. Whether standing outside in the rain and snow distributing meals, or driving to homes to bring hotspots and homework, to learning how to teach virtually and then learning how to teach remote and in-person students simultaneously, our educators and support staff have gone above and beyond. Nothing has been easy or perfect but our team has demonstrated grit, determination and love for our students and families.
The Daily Yonder Commentary: Billions for Farmers of Color Isn’t Racist – It’s Smart and Long Overdue Farmers of color – particularly African American producers – have suffered from the decimation of rural America and decades of systemic racism.
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed the administration’s efforts on the American Rescue Plan during a video conference. The plan has designated $5 billion to for the farmers of color who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group. (USDA photo by Tom Witham)
Specifically, that designation is for “socially disadvantaged farmers,” which, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is anyone who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group.