During the final week of Black History Month, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution formally apologizing to its Black residents for decades of systemic discrimination and violence.
Introduced by Supervisor Shamann Walton and stemming from recommendations by the city’s African American Reparations Advisory Committee, the resolution pledges to address past injustices and commit to ongoing investments in Black communities.
While this apology marks a significant step forward, it follows similar gestures in the city’s history, including a 2022 resolution apologizing to its Chinese residents for past discriminatory actions. San Francisco becomes the second major US city, after Boston, to issue such an apology to its Black population.
The resolution also highlights efforts for reparations, with a $5 million one-time payment proposed for eligible Black residents as part of a broader reparations plan. Governor Gavin Newsom has lauded these recommendations as vital for advancing justice and fostering healing within the community.
Tinisch Hollins, former vice-chair of the African American Reparations Advisory Committee, emphasized the importance of the apology as a catalyst for change. She views the reparations plan, which outlines over 100 additional strategies for addressing inequities, as a blueprint for the city’s future commitment to equity.
In accepting responsibility for its past, San Francisco seeks to not only acknowledge historical injustices but also pave the way for tangible actions toward restitution and reconciliation. This formal apology serves as a testament to the city’s dedication to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all its residents.
