wfn.org | Settlement to address discrimination against black farmers

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Jan. 20, 1999	Contact: Joretta Purdue*(202)546-8722*Washington
10-31-71B{031}

By United Methodist News Service

An historic settlement of a class action suit brought by black farmers
against a U.S. government agency has garnered mixed praise and criticism
from several United Methodists.

"Finally, after decades of discrimination by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, black farmers are about to be offered some financial relief,"
said Ralph Paige, executive director of the 31-year-old Federation of
Southern Cooperative/Land Assistance Fund.

Paige, a United Methodist layman who heads the federation based in East
Point, Ga., said the settlement likely will prove to be the largest class
action suit yet filed by African Americans. It will also be the first time
the U.S. government provided financial relief  after years of discrimination
against black farmers in the administration of government programs, he
declared.

The court settlement announced in early 1999 will not restore the millions
of acres lost by African-American farmers, he added. But, he said, it could
be "the beginning of a much-needed healing process."

Black farmers have lost crops and sometimes their farms because of unfair
credit opportunities, lack of black representation on county agriculture
committees and discrimination within commercial lending institutions and
marketing outlets. The USDA was also accused of not implementing
recommendations from its own Civil Rights Action Team and its Small Farm
Commission. 

The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery said, "While the settlement will not make the
thousands of farmers who have lost millions of acres whole, it will enable
many to be free of heavy debts for tardy loans made by the government and to
make a new start in doing what they love to do - farming."

Lowery, chairman of the Black Leadership Forum, was asked to become convener
of the Coordinating Council of Black Farm Groups in 1998, when he retired as
president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference after 21 years.
The council was formed to inform the public, gain support for the cause and
focus activities in the lawsuit.

One of the lead attorneys in the case - J.L. Chestnut of Selma, Ala. - said
Lowery's experience in the civil rights struggle helped focus farmer efforts
and enlist support of religious and civil rights organizations.

The Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, top staff executive of the United
Methodist Board of Church and Society, noted that a resolution passed by the
1988 General Conference, the denomination's highest legislative body,
addressed problems of black farmers including those of USDA discrimination
uncorrected after a 1982 report by the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

"Unfortunately, the settlement is too late for many black farmers," Fassett
said in a letter to USDA Secretary Dan Glickman. "Many have lost their land
and opportunities to prosper in the vocation of their choice."

Fassett suggested three remedies to Glickman for helping those who remain:
*	fully implement, without delay the recommendations of the "Civil
Rights Action Team Report" and the National Commission on Small Farms
Report;
*	fund the Minority Farm Outreach and Technical Assistance Program at
$10 million; and
*	include Black farmers on county committees that oversee USDA loan
and other programs.

Farmers who are eligible for claims will have a choice in how to pursue
their claims. Several organization are working to publicize this settlement
and make information about the claim process available to all potential
recipients. Judge Paul Friedman will hold a fairness hearing on the
settlement in U.S. District Court in Washington March 2.

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