The Impact of Sharecropping Through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It
Sharecropping was a system of farming that began after slavery ended, during the Jim Crow era. In this system, landowners allowed Black families to farm their land. Instead of paying them wages, the landowners took a large share of the crops as “rent.”
At first, sharecropping appeared to offer an opportunity for freedom and self-sufficiency. But in reality, it often kept families trapped in poverty and debt. Landowners controlled the prices, supplies, and harvest, making it nearly impossible for sharecroppers to improve their financial situation.
For many Black people, sharecropping became a new form of oppression — different from slavery, but still rooted in unfairness and exploitation. Yet, despite the hardships, sharecroppers built strong (often large) families, passed down traditions, and laid the foundation for the resilience of future generations.
The Black Resilience Project
The purpose of the Black Resilience Project is to allow people to share their authentic testimonials about the impact of sharecropping through their eyes.
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The Black Resilience Project 