courses. >> they are running us off this island. >> reporter: and joseph walters is also gullah and has lived on inherited land for nearly 30 years and one day he hopes to pass it down to his son and grandson. what has it meant to have that piece of freedom in your family? >> it is hard to even comprehend, man, because you know, it is a dream come true here. >> reporter: but after missing the tax payment deadline two years in a row, he owed more than $3,000 in back tax, penalties and fees. his property was headed for auction. what is at stake here, what are we losing, more than just a house, is it a piece of the culture also? >> you lose history. >> reporter: and it is that history that he and others are fighting to save. >> african-americans are living and still maintaining and have their homes, their families and we want to keep it that way. >> and that was nbc's trymaine lee reporting there.