The new evidence that makes the case for reparations undeniable

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Support our nonprofit journalism]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     June 14, 2024 Hi everyone. My name is Jamilah King and I'm an editorial director here at Mother Jones. I’m thrilled to present to you [40 Acres and a Lie](, a collaborative project from the Center for Public Integrity and the Center for Investigative Reporting that uncovers the long-lost history of America’s failed attempt at reparations for slavery. Now, most of us have heard at least a little bit about 40 acres and a mule. Maybe it was in that one song or that other song, or maybe it was after we watched our first Spike Lee film and saw the logo for his production company, but the general gist is this: America promised land reparations to Black people after the Civil War, but it never happened. [Except that it did! Kinda](. For a brief moment in American history, formerly enslaved Black people built thriving communities in places like coastal South Carolina and Georgia. But within 18 months, most of that land was seized by the government and handed back to former enslavers. [Our ambitious project aims to tell that story](. It has been a labor of love that’s spanned three newsrooms, two years of reporting, and countless potential setbacks—and I couldn’t be more proud. We’re in a moment where it’s not just hard to learn American history but, in some cases, it’s illegal. [That’s what makes this project so special](. It doesn’t just tell us the stories of the past, of formerly enslaved people who were given parcels of land. It allows us to trace that land across generations. We also meet living descendants who learn to reckon with what was lost. You can read more at [40 Acres and a Lie](. Also, stay tuned for an [incredible audio series]( from our partners at Reveal, which launches on June 15 and takes listeners on an intimate journey through this mostly overlooked part of American history. —Jamilah King Advertisement [In Crowded Out, Nora Kenworthy examines how charitable crowdfunding so quickly overtook public life, where it is taking us, and who gets left behind by this new platformed economy.]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [40 Acres and a Lie]( AN INVESTIGATION FROM MOTHER JONES, THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY, AND REVEAL SPONSORED POST     [Sponsored Content]( [Navigating Farm and Ranch Transfers to a New Generation]( An ambitious program supports land access as many farmers approach retirement, posing challenges for America’s food system. THIS CONTENT WAS PAID FOR AND SPONSORED BY [AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST](. [Trending] [Finally, a specific accounting of land stolen from the formerly enslaved]( BY ALEXIA FERNÁNDEZ CAMPBELL, APRIL SIMPSON, AND PRATHEEK REBALA   [The new evidence that makes the case for reparations undeniable]( BY WESLEY LOWERY   [How we uncovered the true story of 40 Acres and a Mule]( BY ALEXIA FERNÁNDEZ CAMPBELL   [This wealthy white enclave was once home to newly freed Black Americans]( BY ALEXIA FERNÁNDEZ CAMPBELL AND PRATHEEK REBALA Advertisement [In Crowded Out, Nora Kenworthy examines how charitable crowdfunding so quickly overtook public life, where it is taking us, and who gets left behind by this new platformed economy.]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [Biden’s border closure will leave migrants vulnerable to deadly heat]( "We fear that this policy will result in more deaths." BY AYURELLA HORN-MULLER MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE   MOTHER JONES NEEDS YOUR HELP Straight to the point: Donations have been concerningly slow for our hugely important First $500,000 fundraising campaign. We urgently need your help, and a lot of help, over the next few weeks so we can pay for the one-of-a-kind journalism you get from us. Learn more in “[Less Dreading, More Doing](,” where we lay out this wild moment and how we can keep charging hard for you. And please help if you can: $5, $50, or $500—[every gift from every person]( truly matters right now. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Share it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755