• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy California reparations panel calls to amend state constitution to legalize racial discrimination
Economy

California reparations panel calls to amend state constitution to legalize racial discrimination

by May 12, 2023
by May 12, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

The California Reparations Task Force, a committee created by legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, formally recommended that the state legislature repeal a constitutional amendment that prohibits the government from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, someone based on their race.

Last weekend, the task force formally approved its final recommendations to the California Legislature, which will then decide whether to implement the measures and send them to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Much of the public’s attention has been focused on the price tag of the committee’s proposed reparations to make amends for slavery and anti-Black racism. However, several aspects of the committee’s recommendations, which are outlined in hundreds of pages of documents, have received little attention, including a proposal to repeal Proposition 209.

California voters passed Proposition 209, now enshrined in California’s constitution, in 1996. The measure amended the California Constitution, adding a section that states in part, ‘The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.’

The California Supreme Court said in a case from 2000 that, in the context of Proposition 209, discrimination means ‘to make distinctions in treatment; show partiality (in favor of) or prejudice (against)’ and preferential means ‘a giving of priority or advantage to one person … over others.’

Proposition 209 is largely known for banning affirmative action but effectively outlawed racial discrimination in California outright. Repealing it would appear to allow discrimination as the court defined it.

Nonetheless, the task force wants to get rid of the measure, arguing it is actually created more racial discrimination.

‘Since its passage, Proposition 209 has had far-reaching impact on efforts to remediate entrenched systemic anti-Black bias and discrimination,’ the task force writes in a final report outlining its proposals. ‘In recognition of the systemic discrimination faced by the African American community and the barriers to justice and repair imposed by Proposition 209, the task force recommends that the legislature take steps within its authority to seek the repeal [of] Proposition 209. This effort must continue until California’s constitution has been cleansed of this or any other measure rooted in racism.’

The task force highlights a study commissioned by the far-left Equal Justice Society, an organization of which a task force member is president, that concluded between $1 billion and $1.1 billion in contract dollars were lost annually by businesses owned by women and people of color due to Proposition 209. The task force’s report also argued admissions declined for Black applicants ‘at every campus.’

According to UCLA law professor Richard Sander, however, the number of Black graduates from the University of California had risen 70% above pre-Proposition 209 levels by 2017. That same year, he wrote, the number of STEM graduates rose from an annual average of around 200 before Proposition 209 to 510. The figure increased to 558 in 2018.

It is unclear how repealing a measure that bars discrimination or preferential treatment based on race would help combat racial discrimination.

One possible explanation relates to legality.

Many of the task force’s proposals are explicitly race-based to make distinctions in favor of Black Californians as a way to make amends for slavery and subsequent racism. With that in mind, critics of reparations have argued Proposition 209 could present a legal hurdle for their proposals.

For example, San Francisco resident Richie Greenberg, who founded the successful movement to recall the city’s former District Attorney Chesa Boudin, has argued that large-scale reparations would violate not only Proposition 209 but also the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 

Ward Connerly, the leading Black voice supporting Proposition 209, has expressed similar sentiments.

‘It is [Proposition] 209 that will prevent our legislature and governor from doing something so ridiculous as to compensate some of us based on the color of our skin or being the ancestors of slaves,’ he tweeted last year.

Connerly served as president of the California Civil Rights Initiative Campaign in the 1990s and is now founder and president of the American Civil Rights Institute.

The task force didn’t respond to a request for comment for this story. However, the committee appeared to acknowledge the potential legal hurdle that Proposition 209 presents in its report, writing, ‘More broadly, Proposition 209 is widely viewed as an impediment to the adoption of remedial measures. The chilling effect has been far-reaching.’

This is not the first effort to repeal Proposition 209. In 2020, Proposition 16 appeared on the general election ballot asking California voters to amend the California Constitution to repeal Proposition 209. 

Proposition 16 failed, with 57% of voters saying they want to keep Proposition 209, which still remains in effect.

‘In other words, a majority of California voters wanted to keep Prop 209 in place, maintaining the constitutional ban on the state engaging in race-based discrimination or preferential treatment,’ Edward Ring, a senior fellow at the California Policy Center, wrote recently of the 2020 vote.

Aaron Kliegman is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Evan Gershkovich’s parents to attend State of the Union as Speaker Johnson’s guests
  • White House launching review of Cabinet protocols after defense secretary’s secret hospitalization: memo
  • S&P 500 Hits Record as Fed Cuts Rates
  • Stock Trading Strategies: A Complete Guide for Success
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Cruz rebukes Biden’s handling of the US-Mexico border as Title 42 expires: ‘This is your fault’
next post
GOP governors call on Biden admin to ditch proposed Title IX regulations, protect female sports

You may also like

Centrist group No Labels scraps bid to launch third-party presidential...

April 5, 2024

DeSantis offers to assist California with Hurricane Hilary ‘in any...

August 20, 2023

Pompeo doesn’t rule out serving in second Trump admin; doesn’t...

March 9, 2024

AI should require license like medical, nuclear work on advanced...

June 8, 2023

State of the Race: How House Republican impeachment inquiry could...

December 16, 2023

Judge once again considers court takeover of NYC’s embattled Rikers...

June 14, 2023

McConnell looks to cement legacy as ‘Reagan Republican’ with crusade...

April 9, 2024

Critics slam latest ProPublica ‘hit piece’ on Justice Clarence Thomas

September 24, 2023

Schumer says judge’s mifepristone abortion pill ruling ‘could throw our...

April 9, 2023

Alaska lawmakers pass spending package, ending special session in one...

May 20, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Amazon taps Xbox co-founder to lead new team developing ‘breakthrough’ consumer products

      May 30, 2025
    • Nvidia results spark global chip rally

      May 30, 2025
    • Boeing to resume airplane deliveries to China next month, ramp up Max production, CEO says

      May 29, 2025
    • Nuclear Power Trio: OKLO, SMR, and CCJ in Focus

      May 29, 2025
    • Analyzing SIL, USO, and NVDA: Could These Bullish Patterns Trigger?

      May 29, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,764 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,470 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,450 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,430 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,307 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,105)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,578)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Amazon taps Xbox co-founder to lead new team developing ‘breakthrough’...

      May 30, 2025
    • Nvidia results spark global chip rally

      May 30, 2025
    • Boeing to resume airplane deliveries to China next month, ramp...

      May 29, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,105)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,578)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Nvidia Stock Hits Record High at...

    October 23, 2024

    Global Lessons of America’s Thanksgiving

    November 24, 2022

    Israel remains focused on destroying Hamas...

    October 21, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here