California lawmakers are considering Assembly Bill 7, which may permit state colleges to consider applicants as descendants of enslaved African Americans. This initiative is part of a broader set of 15 reparations bills supported by the California Legislative Black Caucus. The bill aims to navigate the restrictions imposed by Proposition 209, which prohibits consideration of race in admissions. Proponents argue it focuses on lineage rather than racial identification, aiming to address historical injustices and promote inclusivity in higher education.
"Descendants of people who are enslaved could identify in a variety of racial ways, and then phenotypically even present in different ways than they racially identify," Bryan stated, emphasizing a direct lineage-based tie to historical harms.
"I think California is quite clear where it positions itself in this moment, and that is in the support of all people, recognizing the harms of the past and trying to build a future that includes everybody."
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