Not waiting for the Biden administration to defend the case or find another remedy, the group filed a motion to intervene. According to a statement released Tuesday afternoon, the group sees Section 1005 of the American Rescue Plan as a viable step toward addressing “ decades of well-documented discrimination at the hands of the USDA.”

The case exemplifies a microcosm of the reparations argument and how those in opposition often claim false equivalences, contributing to the systemic racism that Black people routinely face.

The legal challenge to historic aid for Black farmers ignores the previously established history of discrimination by the USDA and related agencies.

Five white farmers sued USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in his official capacity, alleging reverse discrimination for granting federal aid to Black farmers, in particular.

Politics

Many Black farmers remain skeptical of Tom Vilsack’s return as USDA secretary but applaud new targeted measures to address their long-ignored concerns.