Upholding Affirmative Action: A Necessity for a Just Society

Advocating for Justice: Black Leaders March to the Capitol for Reparations in California

On May 10th, the Inland Empire Black Worker Center (IEBWC) joined over 200 Black leaders from more than 40 Black-led organizations, including the California Black Power Network, LiveFree California, Black Equity Collective, and California Black Freedom Fund, for a Day of Action. During this event, we marched to the Capitol in Sacramento, held a press conference, and met with legislators to advocate for various important causes. These include $100K in funding for Black organizations, reforms in firearms tax (AB 28), prison (ACA 8), affirmative action (ACA 7), policing (AB 93, AB 742), voting (ACA 4, SB 846), housing (AB 1418, SB 567, ACA 10), and reparations (AB 3121) for Black Californians who have been impacted by slavery.

The Inland Empire Black Worker Center, stands in full support of the recommendations put forth by the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for Blacks in California. It is a necessary and crucial step toward rectifying the historical injustices and discrimination faced by Black Californians, which have their roots in slavery.

The task force's recommendations, encompassing compensation for health care disparities, housing discrimination, mass incarceration, and over-policing, are pivotal in acknowledging the long-lasting impact of systemic racism. Recommendations included: (1) Estimated value of payment for health care disparities: $13,619 for each year of residency, based on 71-year life expectancy; (2) Estimated payment for housing discrimination: $148,099 or $3,366 for each year between 1933 and 1977 spent as a resident of the state; and (3) Estimated payment for mass incarceration and overpolicing: $115,260 or $2,352 for each year of residency in California during the 49-year period between 1971 and 2020. Also, the proposal to establish a state office responsible for processing reparations claims and addressing the ways in which current and past policies have harmed and destabilized Black families is essential for restoring justice. 

Mere apologies are not sufficient; concrete action must be taken to rectify the damage inflicted upon the Black community. We echo the sentiments of U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who rightly asserts that reparations are not only morally justifiable but also possess the potential to address the deep-rooted racial disparities and inequalities that persist to this day. A public acknowledgement of the state's responsibility for past wrongs, accompanied by a promise to avoid repeating them, must be made in the presence of individuals whose ancestors were enslaved.

We appreciate the inclusion of "cash or its equivalent" as part of the reparations package for eligible residents. Monetary compensation is a necessary component in recognizing the harm endured by Black Californians throughout history. The time has come for the government to acknowledge its role in perpetuating the barriers that have prevented Blacks from attaining full economic, social, and political equality. We implore the Legislature to embrace and enact the task force's recommendations, taking decisive action toward justice and reconciliation.

Regarding eligibility, we propose a tiered structure that prioritizes descendants of enslaved Africans while ensuring inclusivity for all members of the Black community affected by the lingering effects of slavery. All Black Californians who have self-identified as such for a significant period should be eligible to participate in and benefit from reparations programs, investments, and resources. This includes access to free healthcare programs, post-secondary education, reproductive care services, and other community investments.

For individuals who can trace their lineage to someone enslaved in the U.S., special consideration should be granted, entitling them to full compensation without the need for additional documentation. We recognize that various challenges may hinder some from tracing their lineage, such as lost records, adoption history, limited resources, homelessness, or descent from Black immigrants. Therefore, a comprehensive set of criteria, developed in collaboration with Black-led and Black-serving community organizations across the state, should be established to ensure compensation for those impacted by the war on drugs, segregated schools, unjust property takings, redlining, and other outlined harms.

To ensure the inclusion of all residents impacted by the proposed timelines for harm, we recommend a residency requirement not tied to a specific historical event or past cutoff date. Individuals who have resided in California for at least one year preceding the implementation of a compensation program should be eligible. This aligns with requirements for resident tuition at public colleges and universities and access to state social programs.

Rather than establishing a new government agency or bureau, California should empower Black communities and organizations to play a central role in implementing and shaping reparations programs and policies. We propose the creation of a Reparations Fund, accessible to community-based organizations, to support research, identify policy solutions, provide public education through trusted messengers, assist claimants with application processes, and ensure the comprehensive implementation of reparations policies.

The IEBWC urges you to share this message with California legislatures ahead of their July 14th recess. Together, let us seize this opportunity to redress the harms of history and pave the way for a more just and equitable future for all Black Californians.