California Bill Prioritizes Slave Descendants for University Admission

California Assemblyman Isaac Bryan plans to introduce a bill that would give descendants of slaves priority admission to the University of California and California State University, aiming to address historical inequalities in the college admissions process. Bryan argues that preferential treatment has long favored wealthy alumni and that there is a moral obligation to rectify past injustices against those impacted by slavery. This initiative aligns with recommendations from California's Black reparations task force and follows a broader state-level apology for historical racism signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The bill comes amid a conservative push against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, particularly following the Supreme Court's ruling that ended affirmative action in higher education. Bryan remains optimistic about the bill's prospects despite potential challenges from the incoming Trump administration, which is expected to target DEI initiatives. Critics of DEI argue that such programs are discriminatory, but Bryan emphasizes that his proposal seeks to heal systemic injustices rather than create new ones.