--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that the agriculture system in…" description: "\"I think that the agriculture system in general is rooted in racism - consider that historically black labor on plantations was the backbone of the econ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/bryant-terry-25680_backbone_i-think-that-the-agriculture-system-in-g_2822920.jpg" --- # I think that the agriculture system in general is rooted… ![“I think that the agriculture system in general is rooted in racism - consider that historically black labor on plantations was the backbone of the economy. These workers didn't reap the benefit of that system.” quote by Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/bryant-terry-25680_backbone_i-think-that-the-agriculture-system-in-g_2822920.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/bryant-terry-25680_backbone_i-think-that-the-agriculture-system-in-g_2822920.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/bryant-terry-25680_backbone_i-think-that-the-agriculture-system-in-g_2822920.jpg) > “I think that the agriculture system in general is rooted in racism - consider that historically black labor on plantations was the backbone of the economy. These workers didn't reap the benefit of that system.” [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The agricultural system has deep racial roots, where Black labor built wealth without sharing its benefits. **In simple terms:** Agriculture is built on racial exploitation. Key Takeaway Recognize and address systemic racism in food production. Themes racism agriculture justice history Mood reflective determined Type critical inspirational When to use this quote - policy reform - community farming - fair wages - educational programs Key Concepts systemic inequality economic exploitation colonial legacy Questions to Reflect On - How can modern farms repair past injustices? - What policies can ensure equitable benefits? A Different Perspective Historical context varies by region, complicating universal solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Backbone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backbone/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Labor Plantations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor-plantations-3602756/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Racism Consider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism-consider-3386910/) [Reap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reap/) [Rooted Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rooted-racism-2921969/) [Think Agriculture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-agriculture-1579189/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“There is a difference between agreement and understanding: When discussing complex social and institutional dynamics such as racism, consider whether "I don't agree" may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-diangelo/there-is-a-difference-between-agreement-and-understanding-when/) [Robin DiAngelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-diangelo/) > [Anyone who doesn't think that hip-hop is an intellectual genre, I think that assumption is rooted in racism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doechii/anyone-who-doesn-t-think-that-hip-hop-is-an-intellectual-genre-i/) [Doechii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doechii/) > [“What we must think about is an agriculture with a human face. We must give standing to the new pioneers, the homecomers bent on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-jackson/what-we-must-think-about-is-an-agriculture-with-a-human-face-we-must/) [Wes Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-jackson/) > [...think of agriculture as something the grasses did to people to conquer the trees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/think-of-agriculture-as-something-the-grasses-did-to-people-to/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [We might hope that the law as a profession does not vanish, because justice may vanish with it - but we could probably do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howard-kunstler/we-might-hope-that-the-law-as-a-profession-does-not-vanish-because/) [James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/) > [There are always rebels and radicals, I suppose,' McCleethy allows. 'Those who live on the fringes of society. 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A true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-ludy/a-true-leader-must-have-enough-backbone-to-stand-alone-even-when-the/) [Leslie Ludy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-ludy/) > [Gaming is the backbone of Nevada's economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-guinn/gaming-is-the-backbone-of-nevada-s-economy/) [Kenny Guinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-guinn/) > [Truth of life is that in difficult times, my family was my backbone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manisha-koirala/truth-of-life-is-that-in-difficult-times-my-family-was-my-backbone/) [Manisha Koirala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manisha-koirala/) > [Making money isn't the backbone of our guiding purpose; it is the by-product of our guiding purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/making-money-isn-t-the-backbone-of-our-guiding-purpose-it-is-the-by/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [“The Lord gave you a backbone because He wanted you to use it. So use it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-wilgus/the-lord-gave-you-a-backbone-because-he-wanted-you-to-use-it-so-use-it/) [Nick Wilgus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-wilgus/) ## More by Bryant Terry > [The thing that I think about most often is the loss of biodiversity. We talk about these food issues so often with concern to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/the-thing-that-i-think-about-most-often-is-the-loss-of-biodiversity/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [I think there needs to be a general consciousness raising among consumers. So many consumers aren't aware of the backstory. They see the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/i-think-there-needs-to-be-a-general-consciousness-raising-among/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [Because we're becoming such an urban nation, we're going to need to be producing so much more food in cities. These institutions have members,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/because-we-re-becoming-such-an-urban-nation-we-re-going-to-need-to-be/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee; I went to college in New Orleans before moving to New York City for graduate school. Both sets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/i-grew-up-in-memphis-tennessee-i-went-to-college-in-new-orleans/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [Oran Hesterman is a brilliant philanthropist. He had so many progressive ideas about shifting the way that money is given out. He wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/oran-hesterman-is-a-brilliant-philanthropist-he-had-so-many/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [I think more and more foundations are putting resources into food activism. But I think that given the state of the economy, foundations won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/i-think-more-and-more-foundations-are-putting-resources-into-food/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [All communities, and low-income communities especially because of food insecurity and lack of access to healthy foods, need more farmers markets, need more community…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/all-communities-and-low-income-communities-especially-because-of-food/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [I got a call one morning from Oran Hesterman, who was the president of the Fair Food Foundation, saying that the Fair Food Foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/i-got-a-call-one-morning-from-oran-hesterman-who-was-the-president-of/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [Given that I'm from the South, I wanted to do something to address that. I have been focusing more energy and resources on addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/given-that-i-m-from-the-south-i-wanted-to-do-something-to-address/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [I think that if everyone did at least embrace a more plant-centered diet, it would improve public health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/i-think-that-if-everyone-did-at-least-embrace-a-more-plant-centered/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [I don't necessarily think veganism is going to save the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/i-don-t-necessarily-think-veganism-is-going-to-save-the-world/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [What makes the farmers market such a special place is that you are actually creating community around food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/what-makes-the-farmers-market-such-a-special-place-is-that-you-are/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [Food historian Jessica B. Harris says African American cuisine is simply what black people ate. When I think about what my family ate, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/food-historian-jessica-b-harris-says-african-american-cuisine-is/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [In fact, I don't advocate any particular diet for anyone. I think that's a very personal decision that people have to make. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/in-fact-i-don-t-advocate-any-particular-diet-for-anyone-i-think-that/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) > [Within an hour I can be at the ocean, the forest, the mountains in San Francisco...But really, I fell in love with the city…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-terry/within-an-hour-i-can-be-at-the-ocean-the-forest-the-mountains-in-san/) [Bryant Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) [Explore all 22 Bryant Terry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-terry/) ## More Backbone quotes > [“The Lord gave you a backbone because He wanted you to use it. So use it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-wilgus/the-lord-gave-you-a-backbone-because-he-wanted-you-to-use-it-so-use-it/) [Nick Wilgus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-wilgus/) > [Making money isn't the backbone of our guiding purpose; it is the by-product of our guiding purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/making-money-isn-t-the-backbone-of-our-guiding-purpose-it-is-the-by/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [Truth of life is that in difficult times, my family was my backbone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manisha-koirala/truth-of-life-is-that-in-difficult-times-my-family-was-my-backbone/) [Manisha Koirala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manisha-koirala/) > [Gaming is the backbone of Nevada's economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-guinn/gaming-is-the-backbone-of-nevada-s-economy/) [Kenny Guinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-guinn/) > [A true leader must have enough backbone to stand alone - even when the crowd wants to take the easy road home. A true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-ludy/a-true-leader-must-have-enough-backbone-to-stand-alone-even-when-the/) [Leslie Ludy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-ludy/) > [General Petraeus is a man that has the backbone that somebody like President-elect Trump would love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/general-petraeus-is-a-man-that-has-the-backbone-that-somebody-like/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [My Christian faith is my backbone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-grylls/my-christian-faith-is-my-backbone/) [Bear Grylls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-grylls/) > [“Better to get spine broken than bend it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/better-to-get-spine-broken-than-bend-it/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [The backbone of our nation's domestic defense against terrorist attacks will continue to be the men and women in local law enforcement and emergency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saxby-chambliss/the-backbone-of-our-nation-s-domestic-defense-against-terrorist/) [Saxby Chambliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saxby-chambliss/) > [If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they did target the core routers, the backbones that tie our internet connections together, entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/if-an-adversary-didn-t-target-our-power-plants-but-they-did-target/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [I don't have any contempt for the men who have to have jobs and have to commute and have to pay the mortgage and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloan-wilson/i-don-t-have-any-contempt-for-the-men-who-have-to-have-jobs-and-have/) [Sloan Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloan-wilson/) > [News is the backbone of our network; the main commodity and the main successes of Al Jazeera came out of our involvement in covering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wadah-khanfar/news-is-the-backbone-of-our-network-the-main-commodity-and-the-main/) [Wadah Khanfar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wadah-khanfar/) > [He was a tool of the boss, without brains or backbone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/he-was-a-tool-of-the-boss-without-brains-or-backbone/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [Inflationism is a dreadful cancer that is gnawing at the backbone of the civilized order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-f-sennholz/inflationism-is-a-dreadful-cancer-that-is-gnawing-at-the-backbone-of/) [Hans F. Sennholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-f-sennholz/) > [To succeed, we must have the will to succeed, we must have stamina, determination, backbone, perseverance, self-reliance, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/to-succeed-we-must-have-the-will-to-succeed-we-must-have-stamina/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) [Browse all 318 Backbone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backbone/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think that the agriculture system in general is rooted in racism - consider that historically black labor on plantations was the backbone of the economy. 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