BERKELEY, Calif. (KCBS RADIO) – Berkeley Unified School District is looking into reparations for Black students whose ancestors were enslaved in this country.
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Berkeley has been a pioneer when it comes to voluntarily desegregating schools and offering ethnic studies in high schools. Now the school district is considering reparations for descendants of enslaved Black Americans in the form of cash payments.
"Most Berkeley voters actually support the idea of reparations," said Kad Smith, former project director at social justice nonprofit CompassPoint, citing a poll that community activists took of residents.
Smith is facilitating a task force of 15 people who will explore what reparations might look like and present a plan to the school board by next January.
"If you think about the school district and the educational system, you can also look back at where there's been disparate outcomes, specifically for folks who have been the descendants of slaves," he explained.
Smith acknowledged that Berkeley schools could do better to provide equitable outcomes for current students. He said the big question is how to fund reparations.
The school district will hold an online informational meeting Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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