California Bill Proposes Admission Priority for Slave Descendants at Public Universities
California Assemblymember Issac Bryan says he’s planning to introduce legislation that would grant admission priority to descendants of slaves at the University of California and California State University systems. The new bill seeks to address systemic inequities stemming from enslavement and its aftermath.
“For decades, universities gave preferential admission treatment to donors and their families, while those tied to legacies of harm were ignored,” Bryan told the Associated Press. “We have a moral responsibility to right those wrongs.”
Bryan emphasized that reparations are about more than monetary payments. “Repairing the harm and inequality that came from slavery and the policies thereafter is a much bigger process,” he said.
The motion comes just as lawmakers are set to meet in the Capitol to swear in new members for a new legislative session, although the movement had already gained traction following the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision, which ended affirmative action in college admissions.
According to university reports, black students comprised only 4% of California State University’s student population and 4.7% at the University of California in 2023.
Bryan expressed optimism about the proposal’s prospects, noting a “growing understanding of California’s role in perpetuating inequalities” and a willingness to address the harm.
The proposed measure aligns with the state’s Black Reparations Task Force recommendations, reflecting ongoing reparative justice efforts. Last September, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation formally apologizing for California’s legacy of racism and discrimination against Black residents. However, he vetoed a separate proposal aimed at helping Black families reclaim property unjustly seized by the government through eminent domain.
The legislation faces a lengthy approval process, as President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at potential fines for universities over diversity initiatives. However, it marks a significant step forward in pursuing reparative justice.
