Category: California Reparations Policy

California Governor Gavin Newsom is navigating the complex issue of reparations, recently sending mixed signals with his decisions on key legislation. While he approved a $6 million study aimed at exploring reparations, he simultaneously vetoed a bill that would have allowed colleges and universities to grant preferential admission consideration to descendants of slaves.

Vetoing College Preference for Slave Descendants

The vetoed bill, supported by the California Legislative Black Caucus, was part of a broader effort to combat decades of systemic discrimination in areas like housing, education, and the justice system. Democratic Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, the bill’s author, expressed deep disappointment, calling Newsom’s decision “more than disappointing,” especially in contrast to the Trump administration’s actions against diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Newsom cited the bill’s “unnecessary” nature as his reason for the veto. He argued that universities already possess the authority to implement admissions preferences. Furthermore, he considered potential legal challenges, noting that critics believe such a bill could violate Proposition 209, which prohibits race-based considerations in state university admissions, especially following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 overturn of affirmative action.

California’s Commitment to Reparations Study

Despite the veto, Newsom’s approval of the $6 million study signals a continued commitment to addressing the legacy of slavery and discrimination. This study is expected to delve into the historical harms and potential forms of reparations California might consider.

Pushback Against Anti-DEI Agendas

Newsom’s actions also come amidst heightened scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly following the Trump administration’s call for universities to abandon such programs. Newsom firmly stated that California universities would not conform to Trump’s demands, threatening immediate loss of state funding for any that signed onto the proposed “compact.”

Moving Forward with Descendant Identification

Meanwhile, the California State University system will proceed with developing procedures to identify descendants of slavery, as mandated by a bill authored by Democratic state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson. This initiative also includes establishing a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery to administer reparations. Weber Pierson described the law as representing “hope, responsibility, and a commitment to make right what was wrong for far too long.”