Still waiting.................

From what I've read on various blog and news pages of late, Black farmers are dying. At least two funerals have been held over the last two or three weeks. John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmers Association has spoken about these matters on his web page. Gary Grant, President of Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, has spoken personally about being at these funerals. Spencer Woods, activist and advocate for Black farmers posted recently on a Facebook page that it looks like there is an intent to wait Black farmers out until they die. It's hard to receive a payment for years of injustice if the one mistreated is dead.

In the latest issue of Readers Digest, an article discusses the injustices and inequities of the manner in which federal subsidies are handed out. In South Florida, the deceased receive payments. No longer are the last names of farmers in the majority of recipients. Instead, mega-farm operations are receiving supplements. According to this article 75% of the funding goes to 10% of recipients. What is right about that?

If you are interested in what is happening in your area, the Environmental Working Group has a farm subsidy database. My students and I on the social justice team at ACU worked our way through a similar page a couple of years ago. It was more than interesting.

Recently Senator Reid of Nevada asked for a unanimous consent request in the Senate to settle the $1.15 billion commitment that President Obama made to Black farmers. It looks like partisan politics continues to enter the fray. It's time to settle this score, insofar as a modest sum of money can settle any act(s) of racial discrimination from policies and procedures of the USDA.

Here is a string of sources and quotes that summarize this serious matter.

If these do not move you, read this Tampa Bay area story about Mr. Bonner. It should move you. It did me.

Calls to officials at the White House and your senators would be appreciated.

Time is of the essence.