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President Obama Signs Black Farmer Settlement

Black farmers in North Carolina and across the country are celebrating the signing of a bill authorizing payments to settle a racial bias lawsuit.

For decades – African American farmers have complained to the government about discrimination from the United States Department of Agriculture – or USDA.  With the stroke of a pen – President Barack Obama signed the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 – freeing up 1.15-billion dollars in settlement money. 

George Roseboro of Columbus County is one of four-thousand current or former black farmers in North Carolina.  He says his father died waiting for justice.

"To be honest, my reaction is it’s a blessing from the Lord. And I’ve been waiting ever since 1999."

That’s when the U-S District Court of the District of Columbia first approved the settlement.   It will pay current or former black farmers or their heirs approximately 50-thousand dollars.

Leoneda Inge is WUNC’s race and southern culture reporter, the first public radio journalist in the South to hold such a position. She also is co-host of the podcast Tested and host of the special podcast series, PAULI. Leoneda is the recipient of numerous awards from AP, RTDNA and NABJ. She’s been a reporting fellow in Berlin and Tokyo. You can follow her on Twitter @LeonedaInge.
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