- What are reparations?
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a “reparation” can be defined as “making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury.” Reparations may be provided in the form of compensation, as well as restitution, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition. A report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights notes that reparations are only “one element of accountability and redress, and should not be purely equated with financial compensation.” Reparations may also include apologies, memorials, or institutional reforms.
- What was the Reparations Advisory Commission?
The Commission was established in 2021 as a Blue-Ribbon Task Force by former LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and Council Districts 8, 9, and 10. The Commission was composed of local leading voices in activism, academia, law, and racial justice.
The Commission’s work was centered on LA’s jurisdiction since the City’s 1925 Charter, and had five objectives:
Develop and recommend on the format and goals of reparations for Black Angelenos;
Seek opportunities to fund the reparations;
Identify an academic partner to assist in the formal process of developing the program;
Maintain an active relationship with community-based organizations and key; stakeholders; and,
Engage relevant experts to inform the development of the program.
- Why did the City of Los Angeles explore reparations if it did not participate in chattel slavery?
Generations of Black Angelenos have experienced harms and the continued impacts of harms from institutional policies and practices, such as redlining, restrictive covenants, workplace, education and housing discrimination the 19th and 20th centuries. The Commission’s study — followed the process below and explored historic and contemporary issues to discover what role the City may have played in order to recommend appropriate reparations.
- Who were the study partners?
The Commission’s Academic Partner was California State University, Northridge College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Fund Development Partner was Mockingbird Analytics.
- Were any other cities involved in the City of LA’s reparations effort?
No. The City of Los Angeles’ Reparations Advisory Commission studied harms that may have occurred within the geographic boundaries of the City, and was not inclusive of neighboring cities. Other cities and jurisdictions, such as the State of California, have their own reparations studies, plans or programs independent of the City of Los Angeles. However, the City of LA’s study did acknowledge that some respondents may no longer have lived in Los Angeles, but may have had valuable information to contribute about harms experienced in the city.
- How can I get involved?
The Reparations Advisory Commission has concluded its work to study and develop recommendations addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of systemic racism on Black Angelenos.
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