California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan has introduced a bill that would grant descendants of slaves priority admission to the University of California and California State University systems—the largest public university systems in the country.
Bryan, a Democrat representing Los Angeles, unveiled the proposal on Dec. 2, positioning it as a step toward restorative justice for African Americans, Newsweek reported. “For decades universities gave preferential admission treatment to donors, and their family members, while others tied to legacies of harm were ignored and at times outright excluded,” Bryan told AP. “We have a moral responsibility to do all we can to right those wrongs.”
The legislation builds on recommendations from California’s Black reparations task force, which has called for policies to rectify the long-standing impacts of slavery and racial discrimination.
Descendants of enslaved people and others harmed by systemic racism were barred from access to the same opportunities. Bryan’s bill seeks to prioritize those whose ancestors were enslaved in the U.S., AP reported.
The proposal also arrives in the context of growing hostility toward diversity initiatives. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to outlaw affirmative action in college admissions last year has reshaped how institutions can pursue diversity, and President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is expected to target Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs nationwide.
California has made some strides in acknowledging its history of racial discrimination. Governor Gavin Newsom issued a formal apology for the state’s discriminatory practices and supported efforts to help Black families reclaim unjustly seized property. However, plans to establish a reparations agency remain stalled, and Newsom has hesitated to endorse cash payments for reparations.
Bryan’s proposed legislation represents a shift toward institutional reform, signaling that reparative efforts must include access to higher education.
Black Twitter has words.
ADOS co-founder Yvette Carnell posted, “‘A bill introduced by California Assembly member Isaac Bryan aims to give descendants of slaves priority for admission to the University of California and California State University’ I like this direction @ib2_real”.
She added of Bryan, “He needs to use our #ADOSAF’s specific definition. If not, white “cargo” slaves will slide in as well.”
That was in repsonse to another user who posted, “
If he is not specific it will be co-opted by conquistadors descendants”.