The Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition’s faith-rooted mission is to advocate for policy changes that would reduce or eliminate sources of poverty in California. Racial injustice is one of those sources, so we have been particularly supportive of and attentive to the work of the Reparations Task Force. This is the second in a series about the Reparations Task Force. It covers the moral justification for reparations in California.
The moral basis for California’s Reparations Task Force reflects the relatively unknown history of the treatment of African Americans in this state. The moral prompt to study the issue of reparations stems from the recognition that the state must address the enduring harms caused by its historical complicity in slavery and systemic discrimination against African Americans. (The task force’s final full report, “The California Reparations Report,” contains over 500 pages of history and data documenting this discrimination.)
The sources highlight the following moral arguments for reparations:
Acknowledging Injustice:
- The sources emphasize the state’s role in perpetuating harm against African Americans, even after California’s admission as a free state. Recognizing past wrongs is essential for moral reconciliation and is a foundation for reparative measures.
Restoring Equity:
- The Task Force’s mission is to study and recommend remedies that promote equity for African Americans. This applies particularly to descendants of enslaved individuals. That mission reflects a commitment to restorative justice. The Task Force seeks to address the systemic disadvantages faced by African Americans due to California’s history of discrimination.
Intergenerational Harm:
- The sources recognize that the consequences of slavery and discrimination have compounded across generations. This results in persistent disparities in wealth, health, education, and other areas. The moral imperative for reparations is acknowledging this intergenerational trauma and taking concrete steps to dismantle its ongoing effects.
Truth and Reconciliation:
- A central aspect of the Task Force’s mandate is to educate the public about its findings. The goal is to foster a greater understanding of California’s history of racial injustice. This emphasis on truth-telling is crucial for promoting social healing and preventing the repetition of past harms.
International Standards:
- The Task Force is explicitly directed to ensure its recommendations align with international remedy standards for state-inflicted wrongs. This commitment to international norms underscores the universal moral principles underpinning the call for reparations.
The California Reparations Task Force operates on the moral conviction that confronting past injustices and striving to repair their enduring consequences is essential for achieving a just and equitable society.
Read the articles below or the Racial Justice Task Force page for further information.
