San Francisco has taken a monumental step, enshrining a plan for race-based reparations into law. The decision, signed by Mayor Daniel Lurie just before Christmas, sets in motion a process that could potentially award $5 million to each eligible Black resident of the city.
The legislation establishes a dedicated reparations fund, a direct result of recommendations from the city’s African American Reparations Advisory Committee (AARAC). This committee, formed to address historical harms, released a report in 2023 outlining the proposed financial compensation for decades of systemic damage.
Currently, the fund exists as a framework, awaiting financial contributions from both the city and private donors. The AARAC will now focus on defining the specific criteria for eligibility, a detail that remains unclear as approximately 50,000 Black residents call San Francisco home.
This move arrives at a particularly challenging time for the city, which is grappling with a staggering $1 billion budget deficit. Despite the financial strain, Mayor Lurie moved forward, acknowledging years of work by community members and the unanimous support of the Board of Supervisors.
Lurie stated the legislation recognizes the efforts of many San Franciscans dedicated to acknowledging the harm inflicted upon the city’s Black community. He emphasized the process largely predated his administration, but he felt compelled to formally establish the fund.
The decision has ignited immediate and strong criticism. Bay Area activist Richie Greenberg condemned the reparations plan as “ludicrously unlawful, irresponsible, illegal, and unconstitutional,” raising serious questions about its legal standing.
Independent journalist Erica Sandberg echoed these concerns, pointing to a perceived hypocrisy. She noted the decision clashes with public sentiment, especially considering past protests against authoritarian policies.
The proposal stems from a 2023 draft by the Reparations Committee, which detailed the rationale for the $5 million payments and complete debt forgiveness. The committee argued that while San Francisco didn’t practice chattel slavery, it actively participated in segregation and systemic repression of Black people.
The committee’s report highlighted the significant racial wealth gap within San Francisco, attributing it to historical disparities. They proposed supplementing the income of lower-income Black residents to improve housing affordability and overall quality of life.
This action in San Francisco follows California Governor Gavin Newsom’s earlier creation of the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, designed to establish a structure for reparations at the state level. However, Newsom vetoed several other related bills, including those prioritizing descendants in college admissions and providing reimbursement for eminent domain cases.
