Black U.S. farmers' struggle to get debt relief extends painful history soiled by racism
CBSN
There was a time when Black farms prospered. Just two generations out of slavery, by 1910 Black farmers had amassed more than 16 million acres of land and made up about 14% of farmers. The fruit of their labors fed much of America.
Now, they have fewer than 4.7 million acres. Black farms in the U.S. plummeted from 925,000 to fewer than 36,000, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest farm census. And only about one in 100 farmers is Black. What happened? They were able to overcome the broken promise of "40 acres and a mule" to the newly freed slaves — a military order, later rescinded. But over the last century, they faced one obstacle after another because of their race.Bill Gates may not strike you as an actor, certainly not a comedic one. But he can be a funny guy, as evidenced by his 2018 cameo on "The Big Bang Theory." Even when he was arrested at the age of 21, his mugshot smile makes you think there was a lot more going on in that head than computer calculations. What was the offense? "It was driving from Albuquerque up to Seattle that I got three very serious speeding tickets," he said.
The Trump administration on Saturday imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, while adding an additional 10% levy on goods from China. The salvo, which President Trump had threatened even before returning to power earlier this month, underlines his willingness to use trade policy even against some of the U.S.' largest economic allies.
Dee Warner disappeared on a Sunday morning in the spring, just as the first crops were being planted in the farmland of Lenawee County, Michigan. Warner, 52, was living on a farm with her second husband, Dale Warner, and their one child together, then 9. The Warners ran three main businesses from their farm, and Dee Warner had four adult children from her first marriage — all living on their own.