The Story Behind '40 Acres and a Mule'

In 1865, following the end of the Civil War, Union leaders gathered a group of Black ministers in Georgia. They decided that newly freed enslaved families could claim up to 40 acres of land. Almost 160 years later, against the backdrop of national reparations discussions, Joie Chen visits Savannah to hear the history of this famously broken promise.

[reignsupreme]

It’s not just the government that owes us, but many corporations that are still in existence today, benefited from slavery as well.

[karriemsharief]

The slave owners got paid for the loss of slaves and some of their descendants are still suing the government for reparations. But when black descendants of slaves even mention reparations everyone has a problem with it. The nerve of that woman to downgrade the value.

[MrHarryc]

I am impressed with the honesty. The reporter is fantastic and feels honest. I am proud of her respect for my History.

[evanglistfoss-kqfp]

I love my Black people and honor my ancestors. "We will Overcome Family". Thank you for sharing this video. 🙏

[TheBlackSongBird]

I don't have to listen to this to know what the outcome would be. No surprise that this country would not honor their promise. This country will continue to reap what it has sowed.

[gladysross]

I didn't learn this 65yrs ago in
SCHOOL 😢.

[LuigiFan]

Kendrick lamar spreading knowledge for the culture

[williammartinez]

We put in the work but never got paid for it while they paid the Indians, the Jews, The Japanese, the Germans, the slave holders, the European immigrants.... But they do not want to give the Black people a dime in recompense for the free labor provided by our predecessors upon which the greatest economy the world has known was built upon.

[artworkby]

So good to see brother Amri still holding down the fort on truth and equality 👏🏾👏🏾💯💪🏿

[geraldmosley]

Dr Martin Luther King said!!! SIGN THAT CHECK!!!!

[colitafairfax]

I agree with the reparations argument. I have to add that the painting in the museum is absolutely beautiful.

[Infiniteblue]

I'm 34, my grandmother is in her late 80s she was born in 1936, when i was a child I meet my great grandmother to think she was born in the 1800s at the tail end of slavery. the next time i see m grandmother i am goin to ask her what was it like growing up in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s for a black women. the stories my great grandmother could have told would have definitely shape the way i grew up

[sparkle]

Happy Black History Month 2025 🎉!

Thank you

[ElainePaterson-gw]

They owe us our names n nationalities back so we can fully embrace our heritage

[advils]

As far as reparations are concerned, this is the first video in which I completely agree... It's all about lineage. In the South, those blacks who were enslaved had full rights. South Carolina is my direct line of descent...

[dalewhite]

I Love your Program " MATTER OF FACT".I wish you were on for an hour. To short, and So Informative.

[Infinitesuprememother]

The reason we don't have our 40 acres is because we haven't made a claim to anything we haven't said what belongs to us. That's what we have to do. I now say what i want and what belongs to me the land that belongs to me and my ancestors. I think each black American should be given there land back 3 million dollars a free college educations, car vouchers. Up to 6 generation from slavery. We all have to get together and stake claim to our land and our rights as citizens of this land. I moved from the southern u.s.a to the western u.s.a and I have encountered way more racist here then I ever did in the south. I demand my family and I as owners and free people with human rights be given what belongs to us free and right. Thank you

[jermainemyrn]

The country couldn't be the richest in human history. So what's owed is eternal

[dionterussell]

All they wanted was land and education 😢

[GrantTulsa]

The Freeman's bureau help build the historically black colleges, we need to bring it back.