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40 Acres and a Mule: The Broken Promise That Could Have Transformed Black America
Property is Power!
40 Acres and a Mule: The Broken Promise That Could Have Transformed Black America
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance struck a chord across the country, reigniting conversations about one of America's greatest betrayals the promise of 40 acres and a mule. As this topic trends among both Black and White Americans, it's clear that the weight of this broken promise still lingers today, shaping the racial wealth gap and the disparities in homeownership.
The time for conversation is now, but beyond that, we must use this moment to push for real change. How do we turn awareness into action? How do we close the homeownership gap and create the generational wealth that was stolen from Black
Americans?
Let’s break it down.
What Was 40 Acres and a Mule?
At the end of the Civil War in 1865,Union General William T. Sherman issued Special Field Order No. 15,which set aside 400,000 acres of confiscated Confederate land for newly freed Black families. Each family was to receive 40 acres a foundation for self-sufficiency, wealth, and stability. Some even received mules to help work the land.
For the first time, Black American shad a real shot at economic independence. Land ownership meant power. But within a year, President Andrew Johnson rescinded the order, returning the land to former Confederate owners. Black Americans, who had already begun building communities and farms, were forcibly removed, leaving them vulnerable to sharecropping, Jim Crow laws, and economic exploitation for generations to come.
What did that mean? It meant Black Americans were robbed of a critical opportunity to build generational wealth. Instead of passing down land, businesses, and financial security, most Black families were forced into a cycle of economic struggle, one that still exists today.
What Black America Could Have Looked Like If the Promise Was Kept
If 40 acres and a mule had been honored, Black America could look very different today:
- Generational Wealth – Land ownership would have created wealth that could be passed down, giving Black families the same economic head start that white families had.
- Thriving Black-Owned Businesses – Land is the foundation of economic power. Black-owned businesses, farms, and institutions would have had stronger financial backing and stability.
- Stronger Black Communities – Instead of being segregated into underfunded neighborhoods, Black families would have had access to valuable real estate and better economic opportunities.
- A Smaller Racial Wealth Gap – The homeownership gap between Black and white Americans wouldn't be nearly as wide if land ownership had started generations ago.
This was never about a “handout.” It was about reparative justice… giving Black Americans what they were rightfully owed after unpaid labor.
Understanding the System That Kept Us Shackled
The betrayal didn’t stop with 40acres and a mule. America doubled down on keeping Black people from owning land and building wealth:
- Jim Crow Laws – Restricted where Black people could live, own businesses, and buy property.
- Redlining – Banks and the federal government denied Black families access to home loans and insurance, locking them out of homeownership.
- Racially Restrictive Covenants – Many neighborhoods outright banned Black families from buying homes.
- Predatory Lending – Even today, Black homebuyers are more likely to be offered high-interest loans and denied mortgages at higher rates.
Now that we recognize these injustices, what can we do to right these wrongs?
How Do We Close the Homeownership Gap?
The first step is action. If we truly believe property is power, we must demand policies that reverse the damage.
Policy Changes That Could Make a Difference
- Down Payment Assistance for Descendants of Freed Slaves – A federal program similar to the GI Bill that helps first-time Black homebuyers secure homes in high-value areas.
- Reparations Through Housing Grants – Cities like Evanston, IL, are already offering reparations in the form of housing assistance for Black residents affected by historical discrimination. This should be scaled nationally.
- A Federal Anti-Redlining Initiative – Stronger enforcement against discriminatory lending practices and predatory loan rates for Black buyers.
- Affordable Housing Investments – Incentivizing new construction and homeownership opportunities in Black communities.
The Role of Banks, Financial Institutions, and Wall Street
- Banks must invest in Black homeownership by eliminating discriminatory lending practices and expanding access to low-interest mortgage programs.
- Wall Street must stop predatory homeownership schemes, like corporate investors outbidding Black families for single-family homes and turning them into rentals.
- Financial institutions should partner with Black-led real estate initiatives to promote generational wealth.
Turning Awareness into Action
Kendrick Lamar’s reference to 40acres and a mule wasn’t just a performance, it was a reminder. We must use this moment to demand action from policymakers, financial institutions, and the real estate industry. "40 acres and a mule" and its deep implications for Black homeownership and wealth-building in America
Property is Power. It always has been. And until we address the injustices that denied Black people the opportunity to own property, we will continue to see the racial homeownership gap widen. The question isn’t whether we should fix this. The question is, will America finally keep its promise?
Dr. Anthony O. Kellum – CEO of Kellum Mortgage, LLC Homeownership Advocate, Speaker, Author NMLS # 1267030 NMLS #1567030, O: 313-263-6388, kellumortgage.com
Property is Power! is a movement to promote home and community ownership. Studies indicate homeownership leads to higher graduation rates, family wealth, and community involvement.
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