California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law on Thursday that formally apologizes for slavery and acknowledges its lasting impact on Black Americans in the state. This legislation is part of a reparations package introduced this year to address the historical racial disparities faced by African Americans. In addition to the apology, Newsom also approved laws aimed at preventing hair discrimination in sports and increasing oversight on book banning in state prisons.
The governor stated, 'The State of California acknowledges its role in promoting, facilitating, and allowing the institution of slavery and the ongoing racial disparities it has caused. By taking this step, California is recognizing past injustices and working towards making amends for the harm inflicted.'
While Newsom vetoed a bill that would have assisted Black families in reclaiming unjustly seized property, he did sign a budget that included funding for reparations legislation. California, which entered the union as a free state in 1850, has a history of endorsing policies that hindered Black homeownership and entrepreneurship.
Efforts to study reparations at the federal level have faced obstacles in Congress, but some states like Illinois and New York have established reparations commissions. California has taken a significant step forward in addressing reparations, although direct payments to African Americans were not included in this year's legislation.
Lawmakers in California have also passed bills to improve educational outcomes for students of color and to ban forced labor as a punishment for crime. Additionally, a new law will enhance oversight on book banning in state prisons, ensuring transparency in the process and providing a mechanism for removing banned books from the list.
California's proactive approach to reparations sets a precedent for other states to follow in addressing historical injustices and working towards a more equitable future.
