A California lawmaker announced he will introduce a bill on Monday aimed at granting admission priority to the descendants of slaves at both the University of California and California State University systems. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Democrat from Los Angeles, revealed his plans to introduce the bill during the swearing-in of new legislative members and the start of a special session to address concerns about protecting California’s progressive policies under a potential second Trump administration.
The bill comes in response to the growing conservative movement to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, especially following the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action at universities. As DEI initiatives face increased scrutiny across the country, many conservatives argue that such programs are discriminatory and promote left-wing ideology. Trump’s incoming administration has already signaled its intent to dismantle these initiatives, further fueling the debate.
Bryan, however, emphasized that the bill seeks to right historical wrongs, pointing out the preferential treatment universities have historically given to wealthy donors and their families through legacy admissions. This preferential treatment, he argued, often sidelined individuals tied to the legacies of slavery and systemic discrimination. “We have a moral responsibility to do all we can to right those wrongs,” Bryan said.
The bill aligns with recommendations from California’s Black Reparations Task Force and is part of a broader effort to address the lasting impacts of slavery and discrimination in the state. Bryan expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects, noting a growing awareness in California about the role the state played in perpetuating inequality. Black students currently represent about 4% of the California State University student population and approximately 4.7% at the University of California.
Although California has made strides toward reparations, including a formal apology from Governor Gavin Newsom for the state’s racist history, the state has also faced setbacks. A bill to create a reparations agency was blocked, and Newsom vetoed a proposal aimed at helping Black families reclaim property wrongfully taken by the government. Additionally, a ballot measure to ban forced prison labor was rejected by voters.
Bryan views the bill not just as a reparations measure but as a response to the Trump administration’s stance on DEI programs. He pointed out that reparations are more than just cash payments—they represent a broader process of addressing the inequalities resulting from slavery and the policies that followed. “Repairing the harm and the inequality that came from slavery and the policies thereafter is a much bigger process,” Bryan said.
This bill also seeks to counter recent actions by conservative lawmakers across the nation. States like Kansas and Iowa have passed laws banning DEI initiatives, and Republican lawmakers in multiple states proposed numerous bills to restrict such programs in 2023. In addition, Trump has been vocal about dismantling DEI programs and cutting funding for schools that do not align with his views.
As the bill goes through the legislative process, it represents both a continuation of California’s reparations efforts and a response to the political climate surrounding diversity and inclusion policies.
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