Description

Why do Black Americans own less than 1% of rural land in the U.S.? In this powerful exploration of racial wealth disparities, writer and activist Brea Baker examines how land theft and forced displacement have shaped inequality over generations. She argues that true justice must begin with the land itself.

To understand today’s racial wealth gap, we must first acknowledge the history of stolen land and labor. From the moment colonizers arrived in what is now the United States, a relentless assault on Indigenous and Black land ownership began. This created an enduring question: Who has the right to claim ownership of stolen land built on stolen labor? At the heart of America’s history is the violent seizure and commercialization of land.

Research indicates that Black Americans lost roughly 90% of their farmland between 1910 and 1997. This loss deepened the racial wealth gap, restricted access to natural resources, and blocked opportunities that should rightfully belong to Black and Indigenous communities. In Rooted, Baker weaves in her own family’s story of land loss in Kentucky and North Carolina, revealing how such injustices have lasting consequences. Yet, in the face of these challenges, her grandparents fought to reclaim what was taken, eventually establishing Bakers Acres—a sanctuary where their family could live freely, nourish themselves, and build a future grounded in love and self-sufficiency.

Rooted is a tribute to Black farmers who have long envisioned a future where land is used to sustain and uplift their communities. It honors their resilience and their dedication to cultivating not just the earth, but also a sense of freedom and care for those around them. By restoring land ownership to those who were dispossessed, Baker argues, we can begin to heal both the environment and the deep wounds of our nation’s past.