While slavery no longer exists in the US, the effects from it such as racial inequity and prejudice still haunt many places across America. Proof of such harm proliferate not only in racial profiling and hate scenarios, but also in unequal rates of incarceration, poverty, homelessness, and other conditions passed on from the times of slavery.
Well, California lawmakers set-up a task force to look into recommending reparations for African Americans in the state, and studying the processes needed. The state senate voted 33-3 recently to help create a 9 member commission to develop plans for restitution. Los Angeles Democratic Senator Holly Mitchell that the effects of slavery still plague Black people. “Let’s be clear: Chattel slavery, both in California and across our nation, birthed a legacy of racial harm and inequity that continues to impact the conditions of Black life in California,” the senator was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Even as California was technically a free state ahead of many others, many barriers in the state set-up to support a racial caste system still exist. Not to mention the conditions a lot of African Americans have to live with. Should the bill pass (it has to pass a final vote in the Assembly, though majority are expected to support it), the task force will conduct studies into how California was affected by slavery, and what is to be done. Their recommendations will include who should be entitled to reparations, the amount to be given, and what form it should be given. They will have to forward their recommendations to the legislature before July of 2023.
Democrat Senator Steven Bradford from Gardena wished it was more than just a plan. He stated, “If the 40 acres and a mule that was promised to free slaves were delivered to the descendants of those slaves today, we would all be billionaires. I hear far too many people say, ‘Well I didn’t own slaves, and that was so long ago’.’ Well you inherit wealth – you can inherit the debt that you owe to African Americans.”
Thankfully, California is not the only state contemplating reparations for slavery. Texas, Vermont, and New York, are among others similarly considering the move. Ideas from these states include housing assistance, cash payments, community investments, lowering tuition, forgiving student loans, and job and skill training, to name a few. Hopefully the whole of the US will consider such a bill. Life is difficult as it is, a little help will go a long way. And it is rightfully deserved to say the least.
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