It was a systemic and planned discrimination that many farmers that happened to be Black had to endure. The last decade of the last century saw this demographic group lose close to 90% of all the arable land they owned. Even today, as we strive to fight these ingrained mechanisms, the stress levels they face are worrisome. They will tell you that they are not afraid of illnesses, but feel that it is the stress that can cost them their life.
Key Takeaways:
- The financial risks and the physical toll of farming are high, but most help is directed at white farmers.
- It has been shown that experiencing racism can have negative health consequences.
- Lacking medical resources, many black farmers turn to spirituality to help them through challenges.
“After years of mounting debt with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a bank, the New Iberia, Louisiana sugar cane farmers filed a September 2018 lawsuit against a USDA-approved lender.”
Read more: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/black-farmers-health-crisis/
