California lawmakers clash over reparations as Trump targets equity efforts

SACRAMENTO, CA – As the Trump administration continues its vocal opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Black lawmakers in California have introduced a new package of reparations bills to kick off the legislative session. These bills aim to pave the way for reparations in a state that has already set a precedent for such initiatives.

“With the constant attacks on civil rights and the rollback of decades of progress, it is essential that we continue the fight for justice,” stated state Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, who chairs the state’s Black caucus. The legislation draws on recommendations from the California reparations task force’s 2023 report and proposes several key measures. These include prioritizing public university admissions for descendants of enslaved individuals, updating school curricula to reflect the impacts of slavery and systemic discrimination, and mandating racial equity analyses in government agencies.

This marks the second set of reparations proposals from the Black caucus; last year, only seven out of 16 introduced bills were enacted, with the most significant being a formal apology for California’s connection to slavery. Many proposals, including one that could have established a framework for cash payments, were vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom, leading to internal divisions among legislators and activists.

In light of a political environment increasingly hostile to racial equity efforts, the caucus faces rising criticism from reparations activists who seek broader and more immediate actions. “We are very confident in our package, which includes bills that have bipartisan support,” Pierson remarked. “Even amidst today’s challenging political climate, the need to address centuries of harm to Black Americans transcends party lines; it is a moral obligation.”

A contentious point between the Black caucus and some activists revolves around the proposal to establish an agency focused on implementing the reparations process. After bowing to pressure from Newsom, who called for additional genealogy studies to ascertain eligibility, the caucus withdrew a previous package during the last legislative session, leading to protests from advocates at the state Capitol.

Last month, a revised version of the bill was introduced, but it has drawn dissatisfaction from advocates due to the inclusion of further eligibility research requirements. Kamilah Moore, the former chair of the reparations task force, criticized this approach, arguing that the caucus strayed from using the task force’s extensive recommendations as their guiding framework.

Moore is now collaborating with Republican Assembly member Bill Essayli to introduce an alternative version of the bill. This new proposal seeks to create a “Freedmen’s affairs agency,” modeled after federal programs that provided assistance to formerly enslaved individuals, potentially easing eligibility constraints for reparations.

Amidst ongoing discussions about funding, concerns have also arisen regarding the $12 million allocated by Newsom for reparations initiatives, most of which remains unspent. Advocates fear that substantial funds may be directed towards genealogical research rather than directly benefiting reparations programs, including cash payments, a significant component of the task force’s recommendations.

In response to inquiries about cash reparations, a spokesperson for the Black caucus emphasized that substantial resources are necessary to address the generational harm inflicted on Black Californians. Meanwhile, Newsom has kept his stance vague, suggesting that reparations encompass more than financial compensation.

Essayli, for his part, contended that his bill “is not about cash reparations; it’s about recognition and real opportunities to achieve the American dream.” As the legislative session progresses, the path forward for reparations in California remains complex and contentious.