President Barack Obama is requesting $1.15 billion from Congress—to add to a $100-million earmark he pushed through Congress in 2008 when he was a senator—to create a $1.25 billion federal fund to settle discrimination claims by what the Justice Department says is 66,000 African Americans who “farmed or attempted to farm” and were allegedly the victims of discrimination committed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during the period from Jan. 1, 1981 to Dec. 31, 1996.
During that 16-year period, however, the number of African American farm operators in the United States peaked at 33,000 in 1982, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 1992, says the Census Bureau, the number of African American farmers had fallen as low as 19,000. (There were 2.24 million total farmers in the United States in 1982 and 1.93 million in 1992.)
A "farm operator," according to the Census, is "a person who operates a farm, either doing the work or making day-to-day decisions." Farm operators include both individuals who own farms and who rent them.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman told CNSNews.com that the $1.15 billion the administration is requesting from Congress to settle what is called the Pigford II case is based on complaints of discrimination from 66,000 individual African American farmers who allege the Department of Agriculture wrongfully denied them federal farm loans or benefits between the beginning of 1981 and the end of 1996.
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During that 16-year period, however, the number of African American farm operators in the United States peaked at 33,000 in 1982, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 1992, says the Census Bureau, the number of African American farmers had fallen as low as 19,000. (There were 2.24 million total farmers in the United States in 1982 and 1.93 million in 1992.)
A "farm operator," according to the Census, is "a person who operates a farm, either doing the work or making day-to-day decisions." Farm operators include both individuals who own farms and who rent them.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman told CNSNews.com that the $1.15 billion the administration is requesting from Congress to settle what is called the Pigford II case is based on complaints of discrimination from 66,000 individual African American farmers who allege the Department of Agriculture wrongfully denied them federal farm loans or benefits between the beginning of 1981 and the end of 1996.
17 comments:
Discrimination at its best.
if a white guy wanted to help the white farmers, would that be OK?
Farm aide should not be based on race period! For that matter, no aide should be race based; it should be needs based.
Ya, Ken Ballard down in Somerset County!
So when do the white politicians start asking for money for white farmers?? Oh that's right, they won't because whites aren't whing for help all the time because they think they're owned a free pass through life! Harsh? Sure, but the absolute truth. Sooo tired of the gimme gimme gimme mindset of some people.
Please read the entire article before passing any judgement... The bottom line is the ones that were discriminated against recieved payment. However, Obama is trying to get money for people who were "probably" never discriminated against.. How can they have over 66,000 claims when there were only 33,000 black farmers then???
Did you dummies screaming racism happen to notice the fact that this case was won WAYYYYY before Obama came into power. Sheesh, don't let the facts get in your way.
He wants to make sure they all get their 30 acres and a mule, they were promised in the 1860's.
^ No
Obama is a racist
1:03.....it was 40 acres and a mule.
They have received enough reimbursement through affirmative action to pay for a million acres and ten thousand mules.
come on now. these black farmers have great great great grandfathers who were mistreated.
They deserve a break.
Give it a rest you racist people
We got a Stimulus Package and a Mule for President.. Happy Now ??
plenty of white folk in iowa get paid billions in subsidies to keep the price of corn low
OMG! ENOUGH ALREADY!
I want my 30 acres & a mule...
white retired woman
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