THE ESSENTIALS REPORT |
At the height of the coronavirus, Black essential workers climbed the corporate ladder and became the epitome of America's first responders during unprecedented times. While the grocery store attendant received various accolades for their unwavering assistance in keeping American's safe and ensure the grocery store experience was worthwhile - even having to stand 6-feet apart. Furthermore, at the rate the grocery store attendant emerged and was elevated in the workforce, Black Farmers were being excluded from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) which was presented to the whole body by President Joesph R. Biden. "We're focusing on the needs, particularly of the most left behind community; the African American community," President Biden said during his chat with the essential workers. Almost similar to Meta, President Joe Biden wanted to know "what's on your mind to move in the right direction." "The Presidents American Rescue Plan, if passed by Congress, will bring an end to this pandemic, and it will invest in you and your fellow frontline workers and all Americans so we can keep ourselves safe and rebuild our economy so that it works for everyone," stated Ambassador Susan Rice, President Biden's Domestic Policy Advisor. This sounds soothing but has yet to be applied in the area of debt relief for Black Farmer's since this Administration isn't bringing forth any legislation which was introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). And this action was during the transition team phase before occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. At the State of the Union, President Joe Biden's speech set the tone as far back as Tabaco farming and sausage making. Black Farmer's didn't know their experience would be more colonial style then having consideration for their grievances. With all the sausage making plans the Biden Administration has been fixated upon, the casing must consist of some debt meat stuck on the belts for packing because the Black Farmers have conveyed their concerns for debt relief but the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack continues to deprive them and ignore their needs. Now many Black Farmers are at a disadvantage with maintaining their farms not to mention their crops. "Small business and family farmers and ranchers- I need not tell some of my Republican friends from those states guess what? You got 4 basic meat packing facilities. That's it you play with them, or you don't get to play at all. And you pay a hell of a lot more- a hell of a lot more because there's only 4," President Biden said during his State of the Union Address. Moreover, through signage of 80 bipartisan bills during his term, President Joe Biden has not one resolution for debt relief as it pertains to the Black Farmers. If it weren't for the famers, not many people would have been able to feed their families. This was before the swelling of the economy where a carton of eggs cost the same price as a hen in some cities. Meanwhile, Bill Gates gets to buy up farmland even if it has been already designated for other family purposes. Certainly, the Black Farmers could provide assistance in driving those cost down drastically, but they have been denied and relief and deliberately displaced from determining how some of their pressing needs will be address by the Biden Administration. The Black Farmers want action. They have grown frustrated at the fascination with how USDA has gain function to forget their farmland deserves continued cultivation for community purposes, livelihood, along with sustainability while maintaining the farm. Furthermore, Secretary Thomas Vilsack is back by Senate confirmation on February 23, 2021, after serving in the Obama Administration. He still has limited to no desire to address debt relief for the Black Farmers. However, according to his leadership, the US Department of Agriculture is building back better by restoring the American economy, strengthening rural and historically underserved communities, responding to threats of climate change while spearheading a transformation of the food system by creating more, better, and fairer markets ensuring that the food system of today and the future is more resilient and more competitive globally. Their priorities have become more like puzzles with missing pieces and the rescue portion not being found. It's a challenge to count the crop or yield when the cost has increased, and farmers were promised relief, but it was reserved for some other random purpose as if all people don't need food. The idea to hold the tabaco farm theory in high regard and demonstrate through their actions which has yet to include a clause for the Black Farmers. Despite their years of frustration and difficulty to keep their farm some farmers have been forced to cut back on production along with their land being reallotted beyond their deed of transfer but remain "too legit to quit," such as Rev. Robert Binion. Through various passages of time, whether the hunting and gathering era phase for the caveman, or the iron age, agriculture has played a vital and very impactful role in sustaining America. Agriculture isn't an augmented reality with chatGTP to aggregate the yields or arrange how the seeds are positioned in the soil. It is the main artery keeping the heartbeat of America bumping. The birth of our great nation is nurtured in the fields of Agriculture across the land of milk and honey. Let's be clear, it's been more than 13 days since the Black Farmers from the states of Michigan, Louisia, Tennesse, and Texas just to name a few, stopped their tractors and tending to their crops for a meaningful conversation on Capitol Hill. But first they had a demonstration in front of the White House, and that way, the Administration can't suggest they lacked awareness of their concerns. Over 60 farmers showed up in unison to demand "we want our check," and finally hold the Biden Administration along with the USDA accountable to their American Rescue package plans and promises. The Black Farmer's had accountability, justice, and finding equity in the promises they guaranteed on their agenda for discussion. Along with keeping the Administration engaged, having more enthusiasm to execute a debt relief package for the Black Farmers. The farmers also want to continue educating the community about the importance of agriculture and the farming ecosystem. Because a promise is more in the category and authority of being a volunteer, the Black Farmers want members of Congress to hear their grievances up close in proximity and personal. Congressman Robert "Bobby" Scott (D-VA) expressed his compassion for the farmers "with regards to justice for Black farmers, I am thankful for the tireless leadership of Senator Cory Booker and Rapheal Warnock who have worked to remedy the centuries of harm and ongoing issues with the farm lending system. When lawsuits closed a door on the farmers that we sought to provide in the American Rescue Plan, my colleagues got to work and included language in the Inflation Reduction Act, that while not as narrowly tailored would not be threatened by lawsuits. We realize that there is still much work to be done to ensure that this is implemented as intended by Congress." Mrs. Caroly Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the Minority Farmers Alliance and a farmer since 1976, expressed that the Biden Administration along with Secretary Vilsack are not creating a level playing field. "For who?" she stated during the Marti Oakley Show. Mrs. Jones suggest the playing field doesn't include the Black Farmer and there has never been or plan in existence to be one. The United States Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, based on public policy the best available science and effective management with a mission in the following areas:
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AuthorWelcome to the Mindy Jo News Show presents: The Essentials Report, examining the world through an environmental justice lens. Archives
April 2024
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