In January 1865, a revolutionary Special Order 15 known commonly as reconstruction or “40 acres and a mule” was a promise given to former slaves to receive 400,000 acres of free tillable land along the southern east U.S. coastline that would be governed by the black people themselves.

But the policy was overturned that fall by President Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s successor. The idea behind Special Order 15 shows America understood reparations. During a “Rethinking Racism” gathering in Cincinnati Rev. Damon Lynch III shares his goal to build strong, healthy, black communities and the four things that are needed to make that happen.

Read the handout: The Truth Behind ’40 Acres and a Mule’

Listen here

 

Quotes from Rev. Damon Lynch III

“What became of the land that was promised? As you read this, you will understand that if Special Order 15 had been allowed to stand it would have drastically changed this country.”

“We’re segregated now by choice and so we’re trying to build strong, healthy, black communities.”

“The reason you’re not seeing results and people are not being lifted up is because you cannot have Community and Economic Development. It has to be Community Economic Development. When you remove the ‘and,’ then the community is responsible for its own economic development.”

 

Photo by Redd Angelo on Unsplash