🧵Threading the second day of #AB3121 notes here! 🧵
It's day 2 of the April CA #Reparations Task Force meeting in San Francisco.
The Task Force will discuss its first report📜and how they plan educate the public about their work 👨🏿🏫📢.
Here's the agenda:
It's day 2 of the April CA #Reparations Task Force meeting in San Francisco.
The Task Force will discuss its first report📜and how they plan educate the public about their work 👨🏿🏫📢.
Here's the agenda:
And we're off!
Public comment is now beginning🎙️. In-person first, then they'll be taking comments by phone ☎️.
To call in, dial 877-226-8215 and enter this participant code: 5981272. An operator will tell you what to do from from there.
Public comment is now beginning🎙️. In-person first, then they'll be taking comments by phone ☎️.
To call in, dial 877-226-8215 and enter this participant code: 5981272. An operator will tell you what to do from from there.
Community outreach, or the lack thereof, is a hot topic today in the public comments. Later this afternoon, the Task Force is expected to talk about its plan for public education.
Here is Cheryce Cryer on the topic:
Here is Cheryce Cryer on the topic:
Commenter Chris Lodgson with @cjecofficial says for too long descendants of enslaved Africans haven't been recognized as an individual demographic—which makes understanding the community's unique experiences difficult.
He's advocating for a bill that might change that. #AB1604
He's advocating for a bill that might change that. #AB1604
Just tuning in now? You can catch a live stream of today's meeting from @EtmMedia here 📹:
youtube.com/c/ETMMediaGroup
youtube.com/c/ETMMediaGroup
Public comment has now ended.🎙️
We heard from a middle school teacher, Jewish man in solidarity with the Black community, a returned citizen recently released from prison, residents of Allensworth California's first Black town, community activists and others.
We heard from a middle school teacher, Jewish man in solidarity with the Black community, a returned citizen recently released from prison, residents of Allensworth California's first Black town, community activists and others.
Do not be fooled by small numbers, says Rev. Dr. Amos Brown.
"Only 3% of Black preachers were involved in the civil rights movement.”
The room is not filled today, he says.
"But we are speaking truth to the evil powers of this nation and the world."
"Only 3% of Black preachers were involved in the civil rights movement.”
The room is not filled today, he says.
"But we are speaking truth to the evil powers of this nation and the world."
Attorneys from the Dept. of Justice are now presenting the latest draft of the Task Force's report on the legacy of anti-Black racism in California.
If approved, the report will be the FIRST government-issued report on anti-Black racism since the 1968 Kerner Commission Report.
If approved, the report will be the FIRST government-issued report on anti-Black racism since the 1968 Kerner Commission Report.
The Kerner Commission studied the causes of the uprisings in Detroit and other American cities in 1967.
For more on the Kerner Commission from @RetroReport:
and from @SmithsonianMag: bit.ly/3O7TGE5
For more on the Kerner Commission from @RetroReport:
and from @SmithsonianMag: bit.ly/3O7TGE5
“Every social movement that’s made an impact needs historical underpinnings. I think this report does this.”
-Tamaki (@minamitamaki).
The Task Force unanimously passed a motion to have the two Task Force members in the State legislature oversee final edits to the report.
-Tamaki (@minamitamaki).
The Task Force unanimously passed a motion to have the two Task Force members in the State legislature oversee final edits to the report.
The Task Force votes unanimously to name in the report all DOJ staffers who worked on the report and all expert witnesses who gave testimony at Task Force meetings.
"It was a labor of love," -DOJ Attorney presenting the report draft to the Task Force.
"It was a labor of love," -DOJ Attorney presenting the report draft to the Task Force.
Dr. Grills (@tawede): What does this say people who we are asking to come give testimony at this summer's listening sessions, if we issue a report before we hear from them?
Task Force votes unanimously to call this an "interim" report, subject to additions later on.
Task Force votes unanimously to call this an "interim" report, subject to additions later on.
"I think it's a euphemism that implies there was terror on both sides." -Chair @KamilahVMoore
The Task Force instructs DOJ attorneys to take out references to "racial terror" in the report and replace it with "white supremacist terror."
The Task Force instructs DOJ attorneys to take out references to "racial terror" in the report and replace it with "white supremacist terror."
The Task Force is now reviewing the preliminary reparations recommendations in executive summary of the draft report (pg. 139 and 140 in the meeting materials).
Member Montgomery Steppe @CD4Monica suggests an additional recommendation to protect Black voting power.
A motion to add a recommendation that the legislature consider rules to prevent the dissolution of the Black vote through redistricting, passes unanimously.
A motion to add a recommendation that the legislature consider rules to prevent the dissolution of the Black vote through redistricting, passes unanimously.
In discussing the recommendation, Rev. Dr. Amos Brown @ThirdBaptistSF references San Francisco's ongoing redistricting process which he describes as gerrymandering.
For context on hullabaloo around SF's process from @MLNow: bit.ly/37oJxC6
For context on hullabaloo around SF's process from @MLNow: bit.ly/37oJxC6
The Task Force is moving fast! 🏇🏿
They voted unanimously to add these legislative recommendations regarding education to the report:
🔹 Advance the timeline by which all high schools must offer ethnic studies
🔹 Create a systematic review of school disciplinary practices
They voted unanimously to add these legislative recommendations regarding education to the report:
🔹 Advance the timeline by which all high schools must offer ethnic studies
🔹 Create a systematic review of school disciplinary practices
Dr. Grills suggests a recommendation to be added to the final chapter of the report on the wealth gap.
She suggests money be set aside to provide technical support to Black-run land trusts.
The Task Force members present vote unanimously to add the recommendation.
She suggests money be set aside to provide technical support to Black-run land trusts.
The Task Force members present vote unanimously to add the recommendation.
Chair @KamilahVMoore has two more suggested changes regarding language in the report:
There's discussion.
Senator Bradford: There are white people and asian people living in parts of Africa who identify as African.
Member Montgomery Steppe: Whatever we do, let's be consistent. We rely on studies in the report that use different language.
Senator Bradford: There are white people and asian people living in parts of Africa who identify as African.
Member Montgomery Steppe: Whatever we do, let's be consistent. We rely on studies in the report that use different language.
Continued.
Dr. Grills: How people identify their race is deeply personal and at times controversial because of how this county structures privilege in relation to race. People may identify in one way to protect themselves from discrimination.
Dr. Grills: How people identify their race is deeply personal and at times controversial because of how this county structures privilege in relation to race. People may identify in one way to protect themselves from discrimination.
Continued.
Member Tamaki: This is very well researched report and that factual underpinning is an important strength. We support that strength by using the same terms that appear in the data.
Member Tamaki: This is very well researched report and that factual underpinning is an important strength. We support that strength by using the same terms that appear in the data.
Continued:
Chair Moore: There is a lot of debate around these terms in the Black community. There is a grassroots movement to use the term American Freedman, which is what Black people were first called after the end of enslavement, instead of African-American.
Chair Moore: There is a lot of debate around these terms in the Black community. There is a grassroots movement to use the term American Freedman, which is what Black people were first called after the end of enslavement, instead of African-American.
Continued.
Dr. Lewis: This a big conversation that is outside of the purview of the Task Force. We won't be able to end this debate here.
Dr. Grills: To name a people based on color, discontents them from a place, a culture and a context.
Dr. Lewis: This a big conversation that is outside of the purview of the Task Force. We won't be able to end this debate here.
Dr. Grills: To name a people based on color, discontents them from a place, a culture and a context.
There's a motion to use the term African American in place of Black American in the report.
Aye: Moore, Brown, Bradford, Grills, Lewis, Montgomery Steppe.
Abstain: Tamaki, Holder
The motion passes.
Aye: Moore, Brown, Bradford, Grills, Lewis, Montgomery Steppe.
Abstain: Tamaki, Holder
The motion passes.
The Task votes unanimously to approve the interim report with the recommendations adopted today. ✔️
The Task Force will now break for lunch until 1:38pm.
And we are back!
Task Force Member Dr. Cheryl Grills is giving an update on the work of the UCLA Bunche Center (@BuncheUCLA) who is coordinating community engagement and community testimony gathering for the Test Force.
Task Force Member Dr. Cheryl Grills is giving an update on the work of the UCLA Bunche Center (@BuncheUCLA) who is coordinating community engagement and community testimony gathering for the Test Force.
@BuncheUCLA is working with community based "anchor organizations" who will facilitate public listen sessions across the state👂
CA Residents are invited to give testimony at the sessions about their experiences with anti-Black discrimination and their vision for #reparations🗣️
CA Residents are invited to give testimony at the sessions about their experiences with anti-Black discrimination and their vision for #reparations🗣️
@cjecofficial is one of those anchor organizations and will be holding the FIRST listening session in ✨Oakland✨ on May 28th at the California Ballroom.
Testimony will be gathered by @BuncheUCLA and used to help shape the State's plan for #reparations.
bit.ly/3vnFmyJ
Testimony will be gathered by @BuncheUCLA and used to help shape the State's plan for #reparations.
bit.ly/3vnFmyJ
Chair @KamilahVMoore wants to know why @BuncheUCLA has been delayed in putting together a website to act as a landing page for information about the listening sessions. The initial deadline was in February.
She also wants to know what support @BuncheUCLA is providing to anchor orgs. They are supposed to meet regularly...but @KamilahVMoore says orgs tell her that hasn't been happening.
Now @UCLA's Michael Stoll is on the line. He's overseeing @BuncheUCLA's work with the Task Force.
Now @UCLA's Michael Stoll is on the line. He's overseeing @BuncheUCLA's work with the Task Force.
Now we're on to a discussion about the communications firms hired by the Task Force to publicize its work.
Member Dr. Grills: The communications firms were so offended by the Task Force questioning their work at the prior meeting, that they declined to come to the meeting today.
Member Dr. Grills: The communications firms were so offended by the Task Force questioning their work at the prior meeting, that they declined to come to the meeting today.
There are two communications firms working with the Task Force.
One is @YoungComms.
Dr. Grills says they are still working on finalizing their contract and so far have received no payment. But apparently the *tone* of the last meeting is making them reconsider.
One is @YoungComms.
Dr. Grills says they are still working on finalizing their contract and so far have received no payment. But apparently the *tone* of the last meeting is making them reconsider.
Dr. Grills says @YoungComms wants more guidance about the scope of work the Task Force wants them to carry out. They were asked to do strategic communications NOT publicity.
Dr. Grills proposes forming a 2-person 'subcommittee' that would oversee communications.
Dr. Grills proposes forming a 2-person 'subcommittee' that would oversee communications.
There is a motion to create a 2-person advisory committee (not subcommittee) to work directly with the communications firm to develop and implement a communications strategy.
Aye: Moore, Bradford, Grills, Holder, Lewis, Tamaki, Montgomery Steppe
No: Brown
The motion passes.
Aye: Moore, Bradford, Grills, Holder, Lewis, Tamaki, Montgomery Steppe
No: Brown
The motion passes.
Member Bradford (@SteveBradford) brings a motion to have Chair @KamilahVMoore and Member Dr. Grills become the members of the communications advisory committee.
Motion passes unanimously.
Motion passes unanimously.
Now into some housekeeping—scheduling the next meetings.🗓️
Member Dr. Lewis: How does the Task Force feel about having our next formal meeting in September, and having an informal celebration for the release of the first report on June 1?
Member Dr. Lewis: How does the Task Force feel about having our next formal meeting in September, and having an informal celebration for the release of the first report on June 1?
Rev. Dr. Brown moves to hold a 🎉celebration🎉 of the release of the first report on the evening of June 1st in Los Angeles.
Now there is some discussion about the date. DOJ says maybe a different day? And in Sacramento where we can use facilities for free?
Now there is some discussion about the date. DOJ says maybe a different day? And in Sacramento where we can use facilities for free?
Rev. Dr. Brown withdraws the motion. More debate on what location would be big enough, symbolic enough.
Rev. Dr. Brown: "I would suggest we have this in the hood."
Tamaki: Holding it in the Capital would be symbolic and represent the State's commitment to this work.
Rev. Dr. Brown: "I would suggest we have this in the hood."
Tamaki: Holding it in the Capital would be symbolic and represent the State's commitment to this work.
Dr. Lewis: The DOJ will be working on the report up to the last moment. Holding the celebration in the capital will reduce the burden on them.
Dr. Lewis moves to hold the gathering at the State capitol in Sacramento during the first few days of June.
Motion passes unanimously
Dr. Lewis moves to hold the gathering at the State capitol in Sacramento during the first few days of June.
Motion passes unanimously
Dr. Lewis moves to hold the next official Task Force meeting in LA in September. Motion passes unanimously.
The Task Force votes that the topic of the September meeting will be comparative #reparations models, looking at international, domestic and human rights law. 🌍
This is a dense one but if you want to dig into how the @UN defines #reparations, have at it: bit.ly/3JO5dVw
This is a dense one but if you want to dig into how the @UN defines #reparations, have at it: bit.ly/3JO5dVw
In deciding where to hold future meetings, Dr. Grills suggests holding meeting in CA City's beginning their own municipal reparations processes.
Place like SF, LA, Hayward, Berkeley...
bit.ly/3Oh5OTk
Place like SF, LA, Hayward, Berkeley...
bit.ly/3Oh5OTk
The meeting is adjourned!
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