On Thursday, September 26th, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills proposed by the California Legislative Black Caucus, including a formal, bipartisan apology for the state’s involvement in slavery and systemic discrimination against Black Californians. The apology acknowledges California’s role in hindering the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for Black individuals through racially motivated laws and policies. It will be memorialized with a plaque at the State Capitol.
Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who authored the apology bill, emphasized the importance of addressing historical injustices: “Healing can only begin with an apology.” Newsom’s approval of these bills marks a milestone in California’s ongoing efforts to correct the wrongs of the past, with Assemblymember Lori Wilson calling the package of reparations bills “a meaningful foundation” for future work.
The signed bills were shaped by recommendations from California’s Reparations Task Force, which was created by Newsom in 2020. The task force studied the legacy of slavery and racism in California, offering hundreds of policy recommendations to address systemic disparities. Although the legislature did not advance proposals for direct cash reparations, these new bills lay the groundwork for addressing issues like maternal health disparities, food deserts, and discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles.
One key bill, SB 1089, requires grocery stores and pharmacies to give advance notice before closures, which aims to tackle food deserts disproportionately affecting communities of color. Another, AB 2319, mandates anti-bias training for perinatal healthcare workers to combat maternal health disparities. Additionally, AB 1986 ensures incarcerated individuals have access to a broader range of literature by requiring the California Department of Corrections to publicize its list of banned books.
While the new legislation represents significant progress, it follows recent controversies within the reparations movement. Governor Newsom recently vetoed a bill proposing the return of land unjustly seized through eminent domain, citing the lack of an agency to implement the policy. Despite this, Newsom and the Legislative Black Caucus remain committed to advancing equity and addressing California’s historical role in systemic racial injustices.
