(ConservativeJournal.org) – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr has voiced support for a $5 billion reparations package for black farmers if he is elected.
RFK recently appeared on a podcast with the founder of the National Black Farmers Association, John Boyd Jr. On the episode, Kennedy stated that he is fully committed to getting funds for this package. He described the $5 billion as money that is owed to black farmers, money that they were originally entitled to but did not get because of “discrimination”. RFK went on to say that if he was elected, it would be one of his first priorities in office.
Joe Biden also attempted this funding in the past with The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It included a proposal for loan assistance worth roughly $5 billion for black farmers affected by the Covid pandemic. However, the provision faced legal challenges from white farmers in Texas, the Midwest, and Florida. Ultimately, Jacksonville federal judge Marcia Morales Howard stopped the program in its tracks, calling it racially biased against all Americans who are not black.
Kennedy’s support for the $5 billion program aligns with other reparation-focused promises in his campaign. His website outlines plans to fight all discrimination against black farmers along with initiatives such as canceling student debt for students in farmer families and providing loans with low interest for approved business plans with flexible repayment terms.
Kennedy’s stance on reparations has evolved during his campaign. Ever since his campaign launched, he has promised to use federal dollars to rebuild infrastructure for black Americans. He vowed to help black businesses, banks, schools, hospitals, and farms destroyed during the Jim Crow era.
Despite making up only 1.4% of farmers in the US, black farmers argue for reparations due to what they call “historical discrimination”. As seen with Biden’s attempt in 2021, it is likely a program like this will face hurdles to get approved.
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