Homecoming

A Story of African American Farmers

The first film to explore the rural roots of African American life. It chronicles the generations-old struggle of African Americans for land of their own which pitted them against both the Southern white power structure and the federal agencies responsible for helping them. Director Charlene Gilbert weaves this history together with a fond portrait of her own Georgia farming family into what she calls, "A story of land and love."

Like so much African American history, the Black farmers' story is one of perseverance in the face of prejudice and perjured promises. As part of radical Reconstruction, Congress allotted 45 million acres of land to former slaves but the rapid reimposition of white supremacy meant that little land was ever actually distributed. Despite formidable obstacles, one million African Americans, mostly former sharecroppers, managed to purchase over 15,000,000 acres of land by 1910.

"A unique documentary. Viewers will learn how African American family, culture and community have been knit together since the days of slavery from rural Georgia to inner city Philadelphia." - Gene F. Summers, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"A poignant, personal, political and historical mediation. It will teach, inspire and empower us to correct the injustices which continue to plague Black farmers." - Tera W. Hunter, Carnegie Mellon University