Just harvest : the story of how black farmers won the largest civil rights case against the U.S. government / Greg A. Francis.
Material type:
TextPublisher: [Place of publication not identified] : Forefront Books, [2021]Copyright date: ©2021Description: 239 pages ; 24 cmContent type: - text
- unmediated
- volume
- 9781948677806
- 1948677806
| Item type | Home library | Collection | Call number | Materials specified | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult Book
|
Main Library | NonFiction | 338.1809 F818 | Available | 33111010533053 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
When a class-action lawsuit against the US government results in a billion dollar settlement for the aggrieved parties, you'd expect the story to be headline news . . .to be posted on social media everywhere . . . to be adapted to film or even to a popular legal procedural series on TV . . .
So why then have so many people never heard of Pigford vs. Glickman?
Or the follow-up lawsuit, Pigford II?
Or the Black Farmers Case, as the pair of these legal actions is often called?
Could it be that the heart-wrenching story of Black farmers in America, and the monumental legal case that brought long-sought justice to them, is rarely told because it reflects so poorly on the US and its treatment of those whose ancestors helped make the nation an agricultural giant in the first place?
Whatever the reason, the time to tell the full story has come and the person to share the gripping details is Greg Francis, one of the lead counsels in the historic case that finally helped Black farmers achieve equity. In Just Harvest, Francis narrates the dramatic twists and turns of the legal battle fought and won, and evidences the many years of ingrained discrimination and racism that preceded it. Awareness of this story makes us all witnesses to the history still unfolding-- and while parts of what is recounted herein will enrage you, the hope is that this book will also inspire, inform, and motivate you to join the continuing fight for the rights of all Black farmers now and in the future.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-239).
"Although Greg Francis is not a farmer, he planted a seed as a lead counsel in a groundbreaking class-action lawsuit that yielded the largest gain for Black farmers in U.S. history. Since the last slaves were freed in the United States more than a century ago, countless promises made to the Black community have been broken. The first, of course, was the pledge of 40 acres and a mule to each emancipated family. Without land to their name, achieving economic independence was a near impossibility, yet Black farmer persisted. At first, many labored under condition that replicated slavery until they became tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and ultimately landowners. Throughout the years, systemic discrimination and racism barred them from receiving government funds intended as much for them as for other farmers. Their land, livelihood, and very existence were threatened time and again. Just Harvest not only pays homage to all the Black farmers who fought to own the land they've worked for decades, but it also celebrates the largest civil rights settlement won on their behalf. When the first of two landmark class-action law suits secured restitution for only a fraction of the affected farmers, a second lawsuit was launched, yielding astounding results. Due to the efforts of Francis and other on the latter case, more than $1 billion dollars has been paid by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Black farmers for the injustices they suffered. In telling the story of Black farmers and their epic legal battle, Francis provides both personal and historical context. If you're American, these events should have personal and historical resonance for you too."--page 2 of cover.