This is a word, a podcast from Slate. I'm your host, Jason Johnson.

Farmers and ranchers are central to the myth of the American West, but for African Americans,

discriminatory lending, government bias, and community violence, often turn that myth into a nightmare.

For one Colorado ranching family, that nightmare has become national news.

We've seen throughout history where, you know, when black people move places, there are forces

whether political or police that can collaborate to get you out of your land.

Racism and ranching coming up on a word with me, Jason Johnson. Stay with us.

Welcome to a word, a podcast about race and politics, and everything else. I'm your host,

Jason Johnson. Courtney and Nicole Mallory bought Colorado's Freedom Acre Ranch in 2020.

And almost since the beginning, they've claimed that their neighbors have been targeting them

with racist taunts, threats, destruction of their property, and killing of their livestock.

Years of back and forth allegations and calls to police culminated within the rest of the

Mallory's themselves. Earlier this month, a video of Courtney Mallory's arrest went viral and

brought the story national attention. It also brought back painful memories of African American

farmers and ranchers being systematically deprived of resources cheated and pushed off their

land. Joining us to talk about is Ezekiel Walker. He's the senior editor for the Black Wall Street Times

which has been covering the story. Ezekiel Walker, welcome to a word. Thank you for having me, Jason.

I appreciate it. When did this story first come to your attention? It was about two weeks ago. It

was actually before the viral video came, you know, to be, it was crazy to me now as it was then.

When you think about, you know, black farmers and you think about the history of, you know,

our people here in America, farming has been a part of our culture for so long. It's been a part

of us for so long. So when I saw the story, it was an immediate, you know, like here's on the back of

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