Black Californians eligible for millions in reparations

bara Lee, a Democrat from Oakland, said at the beginning of the task force meeting that the United States must repair the damage done to Black Americans.

“Reparations are not a luxury, but a human right long overdue for millions of Americans,” she said. “We are demanding that the government pay their tax.”

A bill by former state assembly member Shirley Weber created the reparations task force in 2020, in the wake of the police murder of George Floyd. The panel has since examined the history of slavery and racism in the state and developed detailed plans for how the state can begin to undo certain types of racial harm, such as housing discrimination, mass incarceration, devaluation of Black-owned businesses, the unjust taking of property and unequal access to health care.

The recommendations include policy changes and financial payouts. The task force’s final report and documents, numbering thousands of pages, don’t contain an overall price tag for reparations. They do include ways the state could calculate how much money eligible African Americans in California have lost since the state’s founding in 1850. The loss calculations vary depending on type of racial harm and how long a per- son has lived in California.

For instance, the loss estimates are $2,300 per person per year of residence for the over-policing of Black communities, and they are $77,000 total per person, regardless of length of residence, for Blackowned business losses and devaluations over the years.

The task force voted in March 2022 that African American descendents from enslaved Americans were eligible, but other Black residents, such as more recent immigrants, are not. Nearly 80% of California’s 2.6 million Black residents would be eligible, said William Darity, an economist who consulted with the task force.

Task force members said elderly people should have priority for payment.

CalMatters created an interactive tool for calculating how much a person is owed, using formulas in the task force’s final reports and how long a person lived in California during the periods of racial harm.

For instance, a 19-year-old who moved to California in 2018 would be owed at least $149,799 based on the calculations, but a 71-year-old who has lived in California all their life could be owed about $1.2 million. On the other hand, an eligible 28-year-old Californian who moved out of state in 2012 and just moved back could be due around $348,507, according to the calculator.

Hundreds of millions of dollars

If all of the eligible African American residents lived in the state only two years, it could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in potential reparations.

Eligible Black residents should not expect cash payments anytime soon.

The state Legislature and

Gov. Gavin Newsom will decide on reparations. It’s unclear what they will do with the task force recommendations. The task force was not told to identify funding sources.

“Reparations are not a luxury, but a human right long overdue for millions of Americans.”

U.S. REP. BARBARA LEE, DEMOCRAT FROM OAKLAND

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, a task force member and Democrat from Los Angeles, stressed that the process will take time.

“Giving the impression that funds will become readily available — or that cash payments are recommended by the task force to rectify marginalization caused by generations of reckless policies and laws — is not focusing on the real work of the task force or the report itself,” he said in an interview Sunday. “There is a process by which the legislature will look at and discuss all recommendations, and that will take some time.”

Task force members voted to recommend the Legislature consider “down payments” of varying amounts to eligible African American residents, saying direct cash payments are part of other reparations programs around the world.

“The initial down payment is the beginning of a process of n Black, see page 8

Michelle Chambers throws her name into U.S. Senate race hat

Former Compton City Councilmember, Michelle Chambers, known for her service as external affairs manager for State Attorney General Rob Bonta, today officially enters the race for California State Senate District 35, slated for the March 2024 election. Chambers enters the race with powerful endorsements of California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and California State Assemblymember Tina McKinnor.

“Having dedicated nearly 15 years of service to this district, I’ve gained an intimate understanding of the challenges plaguing our communities, challenges that call for our immediate and focused attention. In the state legislature, we must fervently advocate for livable wages, affordable housing, job opportunities, and support for our residents reintegrating into our communities,” Chambers said. “As a seasoned public servant, my commitment remains steadfast in providing our residents with fundamental human rights, adequate resources, and ensuring legislative policies along with financial resources that echo these initiatives.”

Chambers’ illustrious career extends beyond the Compton City Council and the Attorney General’s office, having served in pivotal roles for U.S. Representative Diane E. Watson (retired), Former U.S. Representative Janice Hahn, CA State Assemblyman Mike A. Gipson, LA County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, and a proud former member of AFSCME Council 13, Local 2545.

“Having personally witnessed Michelle’s collaborative spirit and her commitment to community needs, I can affirm her inclusive and innovative approach makes her the ideal choice to represent Senate District 35,” said Assemblymember Tina McKinnor.

“Michelle brings to the table both the experience and the necessary connections in Sacramento to get things done. We need her leadership to sustain our forward momentum. California State Senate needs Michelle Chambers.”

Added Chambers.

“I pledge to serve as a bridge, fostering partnerships across all sectors for the collective good of this district and all Californians. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with elected officials, faith-based leaders, community-based organizations, and unions/ trades to rectify the disparities in our communities,” Chambers said. “I’m thrilled to have earned the trust and endorsement of so many dedicated public servants across the District, County, and State, particularly Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor. My gratitude is immense.”