Reparations Backlash: California Voters Oppose “Unfair” Cash Payments For Slavery According To Berkeley Poll | ZeroHedge

The sprawling social experiment known as California faces an uphill battle on reparations, after a new poll from UC Berkeley and the LA Times reveals that voters overwhelmingly oppose the idea of cash payments for black descendants of slaves by a 2-to-1 margin.

The poll found that 59% of voters oppose cash payments vs. 28% who support the idea. Four out of 10 voters "strongly" opposed the idea.

Interestingly, just 19% of those opposed cited cost as an issue. The majority simply says it's unfair to today's taxpayers and wrong to single out one group for reparations.

"It has a steep uphill climb, at least from the public’s point of view," said poll director Mark DiCamillo, who was obviously disappointed at the results. "The idea of cash reparations is really what’s being strongly opposed," he continued, adding "There could be other solutions that could be much more warmly received."

The sobering reality could put Gov. Gavin Newsom and his fellow Democrats in a tight spot, after state leaders have vocally endorsed the idea of reparations – going so far as to create California’s Reparations Task Force in 2020. The objective was to create a model for national reparations. But as the poll reveals, they are sailing against strong winds.

The task force has indeed been hard at work. They propose payments to all descendants based on a plethora of criteria, ranging from health disparities to housing discrimination. But there’s more: The group also suggests ending the death penalty, restoring voting rights to all incarcerated individuals, and implementing rent caps in historically redlined areas.

When asked about his stance on reparations in the spring, Newsom said reparations are more than just cash payments.

"It doesn’t have to be in the frame of writing a check; reparations comes in many different forms. But one cannot deny these historical facts, and I really believe very strongly we have to come to grips with what’s happened," Newsom told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

When asked whether the state is 'doing enough' to ensure that black residents have a fair chance to succeed, 29% said the California is doing too little, 22% said the state is doing too much, and 26% said it's just enough. Nearly 1/4, or 23%, had no opinion.

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