Black Lawyers Back Reparations Bill Targeting College Admissions

July 22, 2025

The California Senate Judiciary Committee recently approved Assembly Bill 7 with an 11-2 vote, legislation that would allow public and private colleges in California to offer admissions preferences to applicants who are descendants of enslaved people. Authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, the bill defines "descendant of slavery" with specific criteria related to individuals subjected to American chattel slavery before 1900 and is part of the California Legislative Black Caucus's "Road to Repair 2025" package. The California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) showed strong support at the hearing, emphasizing that the bill focuses on lineage rather than race to better withstand legal scrutiny.

Who is affected

Descendants of people subjected to American chattel slavery before 1900
California State University (CSU), University of California (UC), and independent and private postsecondary educational institutions
Black students seeking higher education admission
California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) and their pipeline of future Black legal professionals
California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC)

What action is being taken

The Senate Judiciary Committee is advancing Assembly Bill 7 after passing it with an 11-2 vote
The California Association of Black Lawyers is actively supporting the legislation through attendance at hearings
The California Legislative Black Caucus is promoting AB 7 as part of their "Road to Repair 2025" package of 16 bills
CABL is planning to return to the State Capitol for the Appropriations hearing for the bill

Why it matters

The bill addresses lasting impacts of slavery and systemic racism through higher education access
It creates a pathway for educational equity for descendants of enslaved people
It supports the pipeline of Black attorneys and legal professionals that CABL depends on
The legislation takes a lineage-based approach rather than a race-based one, which supporters believe helps it withstand legal scrutiny
It represents part of broader reparative justice efforts for Black Californians
The bill contrasts with traditional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion frameworks by focusing on lineage rather than race

What's next

CABL will return to the State Capitol for the Appropriations hearing for the bill

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint