February 17th 2024.
When Black Americans inherit land, they often find themselves under immense pressure from developers to sell it. This is not a new phenomenon - for decades, Black families have been targeted and harassed in an attempt to force them to give up their land to developers. Some have even been pushed out of their homes due to rising property taxes, as reported by AP News. As a result, many Black individuals have lost their land, which is often a major source of generational wealth for their families, according to NBC News.
Despite these challenges, some families have managed to hold onto their land and have no intention of selling it outside of their family. One such family is the Smiths, who inherited a 60-acre plot of land from their mother, Esther Smith Morse. Evelyn S. Booker, one of the siblings, explained that they have made a pact to only sell the land to each other and not to outside buyers.
However, even with this agreement in place, the Smiths have still faced pressure from developers who see their land as a prime real estate investment. Despite their firm stance, the family has been unable to deter these developers from trying to get their hands on the land. Unfortunately, this is a common experience for many Black landowners who do not have the resources or legal support to protect themselves against these tactics. This is often due to informal ownership arrangements and a deep-rooted distrust of the government and legal systems.
Thankfully, there are organizations and programs that are working to help Black families preserve their property rights. One such organization is the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation, based in South Carolina, which provides legal education and direct services to families in need. The Southern Rural Development Center, led by Ryan Thomson, an assistant professor at Auburn University in Alabama, also assists inheritors in maintaining legal ownership of their homes.
Despite these efforts, many Black families still struggle to navigate the legal complexities of land ownership, such as unclear deeds and titles, incomplete family records, and the absence of wills. This makes them particularly vulnerable to the tactics of development companies, who continue to target and exploit Black landowners.
A recent example of this is the case of Josephine Wright, a 93-year-old woman who lived on land that had been in her family for generations in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. In 2023, a developer filed a lawsuit against her in an attempt to coerce her into selling the land so they could build a residential subdivision. The legal battle that ensued gained national attention, with celebrities like Tyler Perry and Snoop Dogg speaking out in support of Wright. In an interview with WSAV, Wright expressed her frustration and described the developers as "unscrupulous and greedy."
Stories like Wright's highlight the ongoing struggle faced by Black landowners in America. It is a sobering reminder of the systemic injustices that have plagued the Black community for centuries. As we continue to work towards a more equitable society, it is crucial that we address these issues and support Black families in their fight to protect their land and their legacy.
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