(DCWatchdog.com) – Highlighting the nonsensical policies carried out by Democrats across the country, the California Legislative Black Caucus is demanding restitution and an official apology from state officials for slavery.
Amid the propositions, California lawmakers require the restoration of confiscated properties under raced-based cases under the figure of eminent domain. Likewise, they are calling for an end to forced labor among prisoners.
In 2020, California became the first state to create a reparation task force dedicated to formulating legislative recommendations in this area. The reparation task force produced a 1,100-page report which resulted in 14 different bills.
Interestingly, none of the 14 bills include direct monetary compensation which has become a controversial debate in recent years after car reparations were established in some parts of the country.
Back in 2019, the Democratic city of Evanston, Illinois, led the way as the first U.S. city to enact a law that authorized cash reparations for its Black citizens.
Since then, New York set up commissions to explore potential reparative measures for racial injustices.
California Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Lori Wilson asserted that “while many only associate direct cash payments with reparations, the true meaning of the word, to repair, involves much more.”
Moreover, Wilson said that “this year’s legislative package tackles a wide range of issues; from criminal justice reforms to property rights to education, civil rights and food justice.”
She also added that the Caucus wants to move forward in the second half of the session as they try to amend California’s mistakes in future sessions.
The legislation covers a wide array of proposals, which include enhancing access to vocational training, introducing financial aid for career education, funding initiatives to improve life expectancy and economic aid for marginalized groups.
The Caucus is also looking to acknowledge any state official’s role in promoting or participating in slavery, ban hairstyle-based discrimination in sports, implement a review system for book bans and fund initiatives to reduce violence in Black communities.
Additionally, lawmakers want to limit solitary confinement, incorporate nutritional support into Medi-Cal benefits, fight food injustice and ease the process for individuals with criminal records to secure business licenses.
