California reparations task force annoyed dollar figure is dominating headlines

The state of California is exploring the idea of providing reparations to its black residents. However, the task force behind the proposal is reportedly frustrated with the public’s obsession on the dollar amounts suggested for payments.

The current reparations proposal involves an allocation of $360,000 for each of the 1.8 million black residents in California that have at least one ancestor who was a slave. This plan could cost $800 billion, as per some experts’ estimates.

Cheryl Grills, a member of the state task force, expressed in an interview that the costs involved are the “least important” aspect of the program. Instead, she asserted that the objective is repairing the historical harm done to black people in the state and the country. She found it unfortunate that media outlets are prioritizing sensational aspects of the proposed reparations over vital concerns.

After three years of research, the task force is scheduled to release its final report on July 1. State lawmakers will be the ones to decide whether the proposal will become law once it is out.

However, the estimated cost of the reparations plan poses a challenge for Governor of California Gavin Newsom. While he signed the bill that created the task force in 2020, he has not given clear support for the current proposal. With a budget deficit of almost $22.5 billion for the next fiscal year, Newsom is facing tough decisions regarding where and how to allocate government resources.

Aside from the state, the city of San Francisco is also studying ways of providing reparations to its black residents. However, this proposal has met with criticism from various groups and individuals, including the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP, which argued that investing in the black community would be more beneficial.

Lawmakers in San Francisco have suggested setting aside $50 million to establish an office to oversee the implementation of the reparations program.