Sharecropping was a system of agriculture that became prominent in the Southern United States following the abolition of slavery after the Civil War. In this system, Black farmers would work a piece of land owned by a white landowner in exchange for a share of the crops produced. However, due to unfair labor contracts, lack of access to resources, and discriminatory practices, many Black sharecroppers often found themselves in a cycle of debt and poverty.

Sharecropping was essentially a form of economic exploitation that continued to oppress and disenfranchise Black Americans even after the end of slavery. The sharecropping system perpetuated racial inequalities and limited opportunities for economic advancement for Black farmers. It was a significant aspect of the Jim Crow era and the continued subjugation of African Americans in the South.

Despite the challenges of sharecropping, many Black farmers and their families persevered and found ways to resist and overcome the oppressive system. The legacy of sharecropping serves as a reminder of the enduring impacts of systemic racism and economic exploitation in Black history.