Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Record on Black Farmers

BOYDTON, VA – The National Black Farmers Association extends its condolences to the family, friends, staff, and constituents of Senator Lindsey Graham.

While we recognize this moment of loss, we must also remain truthful about Senator Graham’s public record concerning Black farmers.
In 2021, Senator Graham opposed financial assistance intended to address decades of discrimination against Black farmers and other socially disadvantaged farmers, characterizing the relief as “reparations.” At the time, I called on him to apologize for remarks that were deeply offensive to Black farmers who had spent generations fighting discriminatory lending, subsidy, and farm-service practices at the United States Department of Agriculture. That apology never came.

As I stated then:

“I lobbied Sen. Lindsey Graham as a congressman. I lobbied him as a senator. I’ve been by his office and asked him to help me fix the problems at the United States Department of Agriculture that caused Black farmers to lose millions of acres of land and address the lack of loans and subsidies, and he’s never once used his megaphone to speak out against the discrimination.

“But as soon as we get justice here, some 30 years later, his very first words—he said he found it troubling, and in the last part of his statement, he said that we need to check them.” https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/543282-national-black-farmers-association-calls-for-graham-to-apologize-over-racist/

Black farmers were not asking for special treatment. We were seeking relief from documented discrimination that caused families to lose farms, land, income, and generational wealth.

We can express sympathy for Senator Graham’s loved ones without erasing the harm caused by his words or ignoring the farmers who are still struggling today.

The National Black Farmers Association will continue to speak the truth, protect family farms, and fight for equal treatment and justice for Black farmers across this nation.