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📜intro to political science review

Pigford v. Glickman

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Pigford v. Glickman was a class-action lawsuit filed by African American farmers against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for racial discrimination in its farm loan and assistance programs. The case led to a historic settlement that aimed to address the long-standing issue of discrimination faced by Black farmers in America.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Pigford v. Glickman case was filed in 1997 and alleged that the USDA had systematically denied Black farmers access to farm loans, disaster relief, and other assistance programs for decades.
  2. The case was settled in 1999 with the USDA agreeing to pay $1.25 billion in damages to eligible Black farmers who had faced discrimination.
  3. The Pigford settlement was one of the largest civil rights settlements in U.S. history and aimed to provide compensation and debt relief to thousands of African American farmers.
  4. The case highlighted the long-standing issue of racial discrimination in the USDA's programs and the challenges faced by minority farmers in accessing government support.
  5. The Pigford settlement was followed by subsequent class-action lawsuits, such as Pigford II, which sought to expand the eligibility criteria and provide additional compensation to affected farmers.

Review Questions

  • Explain how the Pigford v. Glickman case relates to the government's role in bringing about civil rights change.
    • The Pigford v. Glickman case highlights the government's role in addressing long-standing civil rights issues, particularly in the context of racial discrimination in federal programs. The class-action lawsuit against the USDA for denying Black farmers access to crucial farm assistance and loans demonstrated the government's responsibility to identify and rectify systemic discrimination within its own agencies. The historic settlement reached in the case, which provided compensation and debt relief to thousands of affected farmers, represents the government's efforts to bring about meaningful change and redress past injustices, ultimately contributing to the advancement of civil rights in the agricultural sector.
  • Analyze how the Pigford v. Glickman case influenced the government's approach to addressing civil rights issues in the future.
    • The Pigford v. Glickman case set an important precedent for the government's handling of civil rights issues. By agreeing to a substantial settlement and acknowledging the USDA's long-standing discrimination against Black farmers, the government demonstrated a willingness to take responsibility and actively work to correct past wrongs. This case likely influenced the government's approach to addressing civil rights concerns, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to identify and rectify systemic biases within federal agencies and programs. The Pigford settlement also highlighted the power of class-action lawsuits in holding the government accountable and driving meaningful change, potentially inspiring similar legal challenges in other areas of civil rights.
  • Evaluate the long-term impact of the Pigford v. Glickman case on the government's efforts to promote equity and inclusion in the agricultural sector.
    • The Pigford v. Glickman case had significant long-term implications for the government's efforts to promote equity and inclusion in the agricultural sector. The historic settlement and the government's acknowledgment of past discrimination against Black farmers sent a strong message about the importance of addressing systemic barriers and ensuring equal access to critical government resources and support. This case likely influenced the development of new policies, programs, and oversight mechanisms within the USDA and other federal agencies to prevent future discrimination and actively support minority farmers. Additionally, the case may have inspired greater collaboration between the government, civil rights organizations, and the agricultural community to develop more inclusive and equitable practices, ultimately contributing to the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the farming industry.