A Sharecropper's Voice

Sharecropping practice emerged following the emancipation of Black slaves in the United States. Sharecropping soon introduced a new form of slavery to former slaves. Many blacks didn't have land of their own to grow crops, build homes or for commercial farming. They were drawn back into a form of slavery through Freedmen Burearu Labor Contracts. They would work portions of the land owned by whites for a share of the profits from the crops. The land owners would furnish seeds, clothes, food and farm equipment. The company store owner would allow them to purchase need items on credit throughout the year and and to settle up at the end of the crop year. When it came time to settle with the store owners, the black farmers and their family was always short of what he owed the landowner.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Palmers
• Crossing
• Hattiesburg
• Mississippi
• Poverty
• Sharecroppers
• African
• American
• Slaves
• Antoinette
• Harrell
• Walter

[redfootwalking]

Great video!

I appreciate this video and the content. I am proud of my ancestry and I'm unashamed of the struggles my ancestors endured; I'm proud of them.

[mssquirrely]

This is what keeps me humble...I will never 4get what my ppl have experienced then and now, it's a CRIME and should be PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

[MrJodyh54]

You know Odell ;has probably been carrying this with him since he was old enough to understand what was going on. I once was trucking through the Alabama countryside one day and saw an older man like Odel sittting inside is doorway, and when I went by in my truck, he looked at me and I looked at him, if only for 2 seconds, and I will never forget how I could see dispair in him from 200 feet away. I never forgot that incident and it made me wonder why America has forgotten so many poor people.

[rbgrider]

That is the salt of the earth right there....and it is on us that that dear brother will perhaps take all that pain to the grave with him. Read Frantz Fanon....thats is the only way to heal this kind of pain.

[shirley9711]

I am hurt. I can still feel their pain.

[minkjhiphoppreacher]

I thank God i never picked cotton, although my granddad sharecrop, and we are from mississippi. But he didnt take no junk off on man, when time came for himto stop share cropping, he found a job with the mississippi power company, where he help repair the power lines, none of his kidds ever took junk.he has some who are carpenter, and business owner;s some own stores, and preachers and teachers. Thank God he gave my grand dad the mind not to wanna settle for less than a good life.

[zoretta1]

I know that this is very painfull for Mr. Odell but we need to have he story and other stories like his. ever black person needs to hear these stories.

Thank You So Much For You Story Mr. Odell. THANK YOU

[doguiefresh7890]

Thank you!  I will show this to my children, so they know, just so they know!

"Take Off Your Blindfold and Open Your Eyes"

[blkgirlblues5150]

That is so hard it's even harder to know this was what 60 years ago. Dam how is this happening to us. God hear our cry and know our heart. We our the same as when u made us in your image. Hear our cry father God.

[nzoCALIFA]

compelling! yet his tears are like liquid prayers of healing for the veneration for our Ancestors; so endearing and humbling [silence] THX Sis for sharing the good works

[MsPoisonpen]

OMG I AM CRYING WITH YOU., AND YES THERE WILL BE A FINAL RECKONING.

GOD BLESS ALL THE OPPRESSED AND FORGIVE THE SINS OF OUR COUNTRY