Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership

The ownership of land by Black people in the United States is strikingly low, with less than 1% of rural land being owned by this group. Acclaimed writer and activist Brea Baker explores the profound impact of land theft and violent displacement on the racial wealth gap, arguing that true justice is rooted in the very earth itself. "With heartfelt prose and unyielding honesty, Baker explores the depths of her roots and invites readers to reflect on our own," writes Donovan X. Ramsey, author of the National Book Award for Nonfiction semi-finalist When Crack Was King.

To understand the contemporary racial wealth gap, one must first confront the historic attacks on Indigenous and Black land ownership. From the moment colonizers set foot on Virginian soil, a centuries-long war was waged, resulting in an existential dilemma: Who owns what on stolen land? Who owns what with stolen labor? Addressing these questions requires confronting one of this nation's first sins: the stealing, hoarding, and commodification of the land.

Research indicates that between 1910 and 1997, Black Americans lost approximately 90% of their farmland. This land theft widened the racial wealth gap, privatized natural resources, and created a permanent barrier to access that should be a birthright for Black and Indigenous communities. In her book Rooted, Brea Baker traces the experiences of her family's devastating land loss in Kentucky and North Carolina, identifying such violence as the root of persistent inequality in this country. Ultimately, her grandparents' commitment to Black land ownership resulted in the creation of Bakers Acres – a haven for the family where they are sustained by the land, surrounded by love, and wholly free.

Rooted bears witness to the dedication of Black farmers who dreamed of feeding, housing, and tending to their communities. Their commitment to freedom and reciprocal care for the land serves as a testament to their resilience and the transformative potential of returning equity to a dispossessed people. By acknowledging and addressing the historical injustices that have deprived Black and Indigenous communities of their rightful connection to the land, we can begin to heal both the land and our nation's soul.

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