Food Insecurity
https://whoswhoinblack.com/black-farmer-takes-action-in-fight-over-stalled-4-billion-relief-funding/
BLACK FARMER TAKES ACTION IN FIGHTOVER STALLED $4 BILLION RELIEF FUNDING By Zuri Anderson A Black farmer is speaking out amidst the legal battle over $4 billion in federal aid meant to help minority farmers. Dr. John Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer in Virginia and the president of the National Black Farmers Association, told The Hill he’s been pressuring lawmakers and the Biden administration to help Black farmers in need. President Joe Biden signed off on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package almost a year ago, and part of that money was meant to assist minority farmers facing serious debt during a crippling global pandemic. However, white farmers alleging discrimination have contested the aid in courts across the country, meaning the money cannot be paid out to those who need it. “It’s a
do-or-die for a guy who owes a couple hundred thousand dollars to the
government,” Boyd says, adding that he’s been trying to get a meeting with
the president over the stalled money. “They’re saying they can’t interfere
with the courts is what they’re telling me … and I’m saying that it’s got to
be something that can be done.” “He was
only seeing Black farmers on Wednesday, and he carried on with the
discrimination like this is what he does every day,” Boyd recalls. His civil
rights advocacy also extends to eye-catching demonstrations, such as riding
his mule to Washington D.C., and reaching out to lawmakers. “We can’t
just be consumers as Blacks. We got to be at the table and a part of these
companies making sure that we get our part here, too,” according to Boyd. You can
read more about this situation here. |
|
|
||||||||
|
No comments:
Post a Comment