**Breaking News: Systematic Land Theft from African Americans Continues to Haunt Generations**
In a harrowing revelation, it has come to light that the systemic theft of land from African Americans has drastically decimated their ownership rights, leaving them with a mere fraction of their historical holdings. At the dawn of the 20th century, African Americans owned an astounding 14 million acres of land; however, by the 21st century, this number plummeted to just 1.1 million acres, a staggering loss of 90 percent.
This grim reality stems from a history of violence and exploitation. White landowners employed brutal tactics to seize Black-owned property, including lynchings, tax sales, and manipulative legal frameworks. The Heirs Property Act continues to ensnare Black families today, ᵴtriƥping them of generational wealth and forcing many into poverty. The recent examination of historical injustices reveals that from 1865 to 1965, over 3,000 lynchings occurred, many targeting prosperous Black landowners.
The story of Anthony Crawford stands out—a wealthy landowner lynched in 1916 for his success, his violent death emblematic of the lengths to which white supremacists would go to eradicate Black wealth. Similarly, countless Black families were driven from their farms through violent mob attacks, tax sales, and the exploitation of laws designed to protect land ownership. For instance, Evelina Jenkins lost her family’s land to a deceitful neighbor who pocketed her tax payments, showcasing how systemic racism facilitated legal theft.
Today, the scars of this historical injustice remain. African Americans account for only 43.4 percent of homeowners compared to 72.1 percent of white Americans. The racial wealth gap continues to widen, exacerbated by laws and practices that have systematically eroded Black land ownership over generations. This ongoing struggle for land rights underscores the urgent need for awareness and action to address the disparities that persist in America today. It is a stark reminder that the fight for justice and equity continues, and the time for change is now.
