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'Just not happening': Steven Bradford slammed for saying 7-figure reparations checks are 'not realistic'

Steven Bradford said Black Californians must remain 'realistic' about reparations despite suggestions some could receive up to $1.2 million each

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California state senator, Steven Bradford, has advised black residents of the state to approach reparations with a "realistic" perspective. This comes after the task force responsible for investigating the issue gave its final approval for the proposed reparations program. However, the amount that eligible residents will receive has not been officially announced yet.

Economists who have examined the matter have pointed out that due to decades of over-policing, mass incarceration, and redlining, which prevented black families from accessing loans and living in certain neighborhoods, the state bears responsibility for more than $500 billion. Some have even calculated that black residents who satisfy all the requirements could receive up to $1.2 million.

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Approval of the proposed reparations program is contingent on the approval of California's governor, Gavin Newsom. However, Newsom has already expressed his opposition to distributing checks as a form of reparations. He argues that there are more effective ways of addressing the impact of racist policies. Last Friday, Newsom revealed that the state's budget deficit is predicted to increase significantly, reaching nearly $32 billion - almost $10 billion more than his initial estimate in January. 

Who is Steven Bradford?

Steven Bradford represents the 35th Senate District in California, which includes cities such as Inglewood, Gardena, Compton, and Hawthorne. Before being elected to the Senate in 2016, he served three terms in the California State Assembly. Bradford has a background in public service and has worked in various roles, including as a police officer, legislative staff, and director of the LA City Mayor's Office of Public Safety. As a senator, Bradford chairs the Senate Committee on Public Safety and serves on several other committees, including the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, and the Senate Health Committee. He is also a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus and has been a vocal advocate for issues such as police reform, criminal justice reform, and affordable housing.

Bradford, who is also a member of the nine-person task force, cautioned against getting one's hopes up regarding the proposed reparations program. He stated that while "anything is possible if the money's there," he remains "realistic" that gaining enough support for significant payments could prove challenging. This is especially true given that lawmakers have yet to even discuss the source of funding. "I don't want to set folks' expectations and hopes up that they're going to be getting, you know, seven-figure checks," the California Senator said in an interview, per Daily Mail. "That's just not happening."

'They lie to get votes but never deliver'

Bradford was slammed for his views on Twitter. "Every 2and4years they lie to black people for votes. I personally felt that this would be another lie. I thinking I am right," one disappointed user wrote on Twitter. Another said, "They lie to get votes but never deliver. When will people stop falling for their tricks?," while a third one added, "It was always going to be this way. When will the black communities in America wake up and realize they're pawns and being lied to?"

Marcus Champion, a Los Angeles resident, and organizer with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, a reparations advocacy group, said he was disappointed with Bradford's comments. "That is not the way you come to the table to pay a historic debt," he said. "That is not the way that you come to the table in any type of negotiation. Start as high as you possibly can, and then work from there." Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, another Los Angeles-area Democrat on the task force, said he did not agree with Bradford, "We have absolutely no idea right now what will or will not be approved," he said.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.