California was a free state at the time of the Civil War, and it never adopted a system of de jure segregation, so on its face, the case for reparations against it is extremely weak. On the other hand, most of our really bad left-wing ideas come from the Golden State, so in that sense, we shouldn’t be surprised.
Since the proponents of reparations can’t rely on either state-mandated segregation or slavery as a basis for the payments, they focus on other factors, including redlining, disproportionate policing, health care, improper government takings, and actions to devalue black-owned businesses. There are two very serious problems with this approach. The first, of course, is that once you take slavery out of the equation, all you have left is the impacts of discrimination, which were also felt by groups other than black people. What about the pervasive and repulsive measures against Asians? What about Hispanics and Native Americans? Should they really have to pay higher taxes to fund payments to black people?
The second problem is that the effects of the various categories cited by the reparation proponents were not pervasive enough to justify making payments to all black people. To cite some examples:
- While redlining undoubtedly occurred, it was not directed by the state, it is far from clear that anyone actually benefited from it, and most black people during the relevant timeframe probably didn’t have enough income to buy homes in excluded areas, anyway.
- Most black people were not arrested for the possession or sale of illegal drugs, and there was a legitimate public health rationale for the regulations in question, however misguided they might seem in retrospect.
- Most black people did not have property taken by the state, and if they did, it would be difficult to determine who was properly compensated, and who wasn’t.
- During most of the relevant timeframe, the state’s involvement in health care was very limited.
- Most black people didn’t own businesses, so compensating all black people for losses imposed by the state is illogical.
There are two things we can say with certainty about this plan. First, it will never be implemented, because California can’t afford it; and second, it will be the gift that keeps on giving to the GOP. Expect to hear a lot about it at the national level over the next two years.