San Francisco is offering a formal apology to its Black residents for decades of systemic discrimination and targeted acts of violence.
In a historic move on Tuesday, all 11 members of the city’s Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to apologize to Black residents and commit to “the rectification and redress of past policies and misdeeds.”
The resolution “apologizes on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco to African Americans and their descendants for systemic and structural discrimination, targeted acts of violence, and atrocities,” according to San Francisco’s legislation.
During the meeting, Supervisor Shamann Walton thanked the African American Reparations Advisory Committee — which develops recommendations for repairing harm in Black communities — and noted, “We have much more work to do but this apology most certainly is an important step.”
People listen during a rally in support of reparations for African Americans outside City Hall in San Francisco, Sept. 19, 2023.
Eric Risberg/AP
This resolution is the first recommendation the Board of Supervisors has approved from the committee.
Supervisor Hillary Ronen reflected on the mass protests following the death of George Floyd and the widespread call for reform across America, which was a driving force in the formal apology.
“People in the United States were everywhere all across the country out in the streets and saying enough is enough,” Ronen said. “It was one of the most exciting moments that I’ve ever gotten to live through because it felt like there was a real fundamental change and reckoning happening.”
San Francisco follows Boston in being among the first major cities to enact a formal apology of this kind.
In May 2023, a California state reparations task force voted to approve recommendations on one of the most significant reparations campaigns for Black Americans in modern U.S. history.
The task force proposed for eligible Californians to receive atonement under international law’s five forms of reparations: compensation, restitution, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition, according to task force chair Kamilah Moore.
According to the Pew Research Center, 77% of African Americans support reparations for the descendants of enslaved people.
The city of San Francisco recently made headlines by issuing a formal apology to its Black residents for the systemic discrimination they have faced throughout history. This historic apology comes after years of advocacy and pressure from community leaders and activists who have long been fighting for recognition and justice.
The apology, which was issued by Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, acknowledges the city’s role in perpetuating racial inequality and discrimination against Black residents. It specifically addresses the discriminatory policies and practices that have marginalized and oppressed the Black community, including redlining, segregation, and police brutality.
One of the most significant aspects of the apology is its recognition of the lasting impact of these injustices on the Black community. The city acknowledges that systemic discrimination has led to disparities in education, employment, housing, and healthcare for Black residents, contributing to a cycle of poverty and inequality that continues to this day.
In addition to issuing the formal apology, the city has also committed to taking concrete steps to address these disparities and work towards racial equity. This includes investing in programs and initiatives that support the Black community, increasing diversity and representation in city government and public institutions, and holding accountable those responsible for perpetuating discrimination.
The apology has been met with mixed reactions from the Black community in San Francisco. While some see it as a long-overdue acknowledgment of past wrongs, others are skeptical of the city’s commitment to real change. Many are calling for tangible actions to accompany the apology, such as reparations for those who have been directly impacted by systemic discrimination.
Overall, the formal apology from San Francisco represents a significant step towards healing and reconciliation for the Black community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of confronting and addressing the legacy of racism and discrimination in our society, and the need for ongoing efforts to achieve true racial justice and equality.
