California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Democrat representing parts of Los Angeles, is set to introduce a bill that aims to prioritize admission for descendants of slaves to the state’s two major public university systems: the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU). This announcement will coincide with the opening of a new legislative session at the state Capitol, where lawmakers will also hold a special session to ensure the protection of California’s progressive policies amidst the impending Trump administration.
The anticipated administration of President-elect Donald Trump has indicated a focus on undermining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A conservative push against DEI programs has been gaining traction throughout the U.S., with various states enacting measures that limit these initiatives. The momentum behind this movement intensified following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to abolish affirmative action in higher education, altering the framework for diversity programs both in workplaces and public spheres.
Critics argue that DEI programs often reflect a leftist agenda and have labeled them discriminatory. There have also been discussions about potential legislation that could penalize universities for engaging in diversity initiatives. Concurrently, the practice of legacy admissions has faced scrutiny as it tends to favor wealthy, white candidates. The recent Supreme Court ruling, while eliminating affirmative action, has left legacy-based preferences intact, causing concerns that admissions processes are becoming even more biased against students of color.
Bryan has expressed the moral obligation to address these disparities, stating, “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.” He is optimistic about the bill’s chances, as it aligns with recommendations from California’s Black reparations task force. “We’re beginning to acknowledge California’s role in the inequalities that arose from slavery and exploring ways to address that harm,” Bryan noted.
Current statistics reveal that Black students represent about 4% of the student body at CSU and 4.7% at UC, indicating a significant gap in representation. Bryan’s proposal is part of broader reparations discussions in the state, which have seen uneven progress. Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law that formally acknowledges the state’s history of racial injustice against Black residents but faced setbacks when lawmakers rejected a bill aimed at establishing an agency to manage reparations programs.
In addition, proposals to assist Black families in reclaiming wrongfully seized property faced hurdles, and a recent ballot measure to amend the state constitution to prohibit forced prison labor was also rejected by California voters. Bryan emphasized that fostering reparative actions involves more than just cash reparations: it requires comprehensive efforts to rectify the lingering Inequalities rooted in slavery and subsequent policies.
This bill will undergo a lengthy legislative process before it can be considered for approval. Bryan’s motivation for introducing this measure is, in part, a reaction to Trump’s recent remarks about compensating white students who he claims have suffered due to DEI programs. Legislation restricting DEI initiatives has already been enacted in states like Kansas and Iowa, while numerous Republican lawmakers proposed around 50 bills targeting such programs in the past year.
Trump’s administration has appointed Stephen Miller, known for his staunch opposition to corporate DEI policies, as deputy chief of policy. The incoming president has expressed intentions to eradicate what he perceives as “wokeness” in American schools and plans to cut funding for institutions that oppose his agenda, although some supporters question his legal power to implement such wide-reaching changes quickly. Trump has criticized the Department of Education, describing it as being infiltrated by extremist elements, and appointed Linda McMahon, a former executive in the wrestling industry, to head the department. However, discussions around dismantling the department itself would require congressional action, presenting additional challenges.