After a California task force looking into the case for reparation for its black residents recommended reparation payment, Governor Gavin Newson has finally responded to the report with what can be described as obfuscation.
The Task Force voted in favor of reparation payment to Black Californians last week.
“We need to wait for the Task Force to finish its work and submit its final report,” Governor Newsom said in the statement.
The statement noted that the recommendations were “a milestone in our bipartisan effort to advance justice and promote healing.” But did not say whether the governor supported the recommendations.
“Dealing with the legacy of slavery is about much more than cash payments,” Newsom added.
“Many of the recommendations put forward by the Task Force are critical action items we’ve already been hard at work addressing: breaking down barriers to vote, bolstering resources to address hate, enacting sweeping law enforcement and justice reforms to build trust and safety, strengthening economic mobility — all while investing billions to root out disparities and improve equity in housing, education, healthcare, and beyond. This work must continue,” he said.
California has a 2.5 million black population. It makes the following recommendations:
“For health care disparities: $13,619 for each year of residency, based on 71-year life expectancy;
For housing discrimination: $148,099 or $3,366 for each year between 1933 and 1977 spent as a resident of the state;
For mass incarceration and overpolicing: $115,260 or $2,352 for each year of residency in California during the 49-year period between 1971 and 2020.”
