KQED's The California Report Push For Reparations For Black Californians Continues Despite Setbacks
Jan 19, 2026
In this insightful discussion, civil rights attorney Lisa Holder, a former member of the California Reparations Task Force and president of the Equal Justice Society, dives into California's reparations efforts. She highlights the task force's impactful work, including 115 proposals aimed at addressing systemic injustices in finance, education, and housing. Holder shares the importance of resilience, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., while explaining the long-term goals for reparative justice, emphasizing that real change requires a comprehensive approach.
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Reparations Are A Multi-Decade Legal Project
- California's reparations work is a long, systemic project requiring many laws across sectors.
- Lisa Holder says reversing 400 years of injustice will take sustained legal changes and possibly generations.
Task Force Produced Concrete Legislative Blueprint
- The task force produced 115 proposals after two years of research and community engagement.
- Several proposals have already become law, including creating an office to implement reparations recommendations.
Pass Recommendations One By One
- Systematically pass the task force's 115 proposals one by one to build structural change.
- Lisa Holder emphasizes advancing each law across finance, housing, education, and hiring systems.