Problem
Black Land Matters
In America, there would not have been a cotton farming industry without African slaves. The white settlers were too lazy and privileged to do the backbreaking work necessary to harvest this crop. The same is true for sugar cane. It is not a stretch, then, to say that the agricultural industry of the United States, at least in the south, was built on the backs of black slaves.
After slavery ended in the United States, black farmers were able to gain ownership of their own farms. But the racism continued. Black farmers would have their land stolen from them through racist policies and laws. Today, there is a movement called Black Land Matters that seeks to return land to the families of black farmers from whom it was taken.
Watch the following videos and answer the questions that follow:
How Black Americans Were Robbed of Their Land
Forgotten Farmers: African-American Land Loss | This New World
What Happened to All the Black Farmers? | NBC Left Field
Answer in complete sentences.
• How did the videos make you feel? What emotions did you have?
• In a few sentences, explain what happened to the people featured in the video.
DISCUSS first with your classmates. Then answer in complete sentences.
• Do you think that anything like this could ever happen in Canada? Do you think it ever has? Why or why not?
• Utilize a quick Google search to find out whether, in fact, this kind of injustice has ever happened in Canada. Try starting with the search term "Black Land Matters Canada". Tell us what you found out.
• What is the solution? How can justice be done in these cases?
WRITE a few QUESTIONS. What are you still wondering or curious about? Use complete sentences.