California Reparations Task Force Concludes Two-Year Effort with Approval of Proposals Aimed at Compensating and Apologizing to Black Residents

On Saturday, the California Reparations Task Force concluded their two-year effort by giving final approval to a list of proposals to be considered by state lawmakers. The proposals are intended to compensate and apologize to Black residents for the generations of harm caused by discriminatory policies.

The meeting, which took place in Oakland, was attended by U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland. Lee is cosponsoring a bill in Congress to study restitution proposals for African Americans. During the meeting, Lee called on states and the federal government to pass reparations legislation.

The proposals approved by the task force include a range of measures, such as providing financial assistance to Black Californians, creating a center to study the economic and social effects of slavery, and establishing a memorial to honor the victims of slavery and discrimination.

The task force also recommended that the state create a commission to study the effects of slavery and discrimination, and to make recommendations on how to address them. The commission would be composed of representatives from the state government, civil rights organizations, and the African American community.

The task force’s recommendations now go to the state legislature for consideration. If passed, the proposals would be the first of their kind in the United States. It is hoped that the proposals will help to address the lingering effects of racism and discrimination in California and beyond.