California reparations task force releases initial report with recommendations News
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California reparations task force releases initial report with recommendations

California’s Reparation Task Force released a report Wednesday regarding reparation recommendations for descendants of enslaved people. The near 500-page report explains how these individuals have faced tremendous harms as a result of the wealth gap caused by slavery and the discriminatory policies that followed.  The report specifically mentions housing, education, employment, and the legal system as areas that caused the most harm. As slavery gave way to segregation, legal discrimination, the “War on Drugs,” mass incarceration, and race-based police behavior, African-American communities continued to suffer.  The task force, composed of nine people of color, recommends prison, education and housing reforms.

The task force suggests giving incarcerated individuals market wages for any work they do. It also recommended allowing incarcerated individuals the rights to vote and to serve on juries. It likewise advocates mortgage programs and free tuition for African-American high school graduates.

Earlier this year the University of California system allowed free tuition to Native American students as a form of reparation. The task force’s recommendations might have similar affects for African-American applicants. However, the task force spoke about reparations to descendants of enslaved Americans only. Some advocates had hoped it would be reparations for all African-Americans, who continue to face discrimination and hurdles even if not directly descendants from slaves.

The US House of Representatives is considering bill that would create a commission to recommend remedies for the harm caused by slavery and racial discrimination in the US.

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