John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Associationcalled Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) out for his claim that subsidies for the community are nothing more than “reparations.”
Over the last century, Black farmers have lost almost all of their land and have been blocked from federal programs often given to their white counterparts.
“I want to reiterate that since 1910, Black farmers have lost 92 percent of their land, some 12 million acres, largely due to systematic racism,” said MSNBC host Rev. Al Sharpton. “For our viewers, what does that discrimination look like, specifically where banking and access to federal aid are concerned? You and I have talked about this for years. You’ve been on the forefront of it. Explain what has happened historically and why this means something.”