California has formally apologized for its role in slavery and its lasting effects on Black Americans under a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The law is part of a broader reparations package aimed at addressing racial disparities caused by decades of discriminatory policies. Newsom also signed measures enhancing protections against hair discrimination for athletes and increasing oversight on book bans in state prisons.
Despite this, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have helped Black families reclaim property unjustly taken through eminent domain. California entered the union as a free state in 1850 but effectively sanctioned slavery and discriminatory practices.
While federal reparations efforts have stalled, California is leading the way, although no direct payment legislation was introduced this year. The state’s budget includes $12 million to support reparations-related laws, and a constitutional amendment banning forced labor as punishment will be on the ballot in November.