Why Should California Lead on Lineage-Based Reparations?

Sean Dougherty hosts a town hall on lineage-based reparations, featuring leading voices who discuss history, policy, and the path forward. The conversation highlights California’s progress, the challenges of implementation, and the urgency of federal action. Panelists explain why reparations are about restorative justice, not poverty relief, and outline how direct wealth transfer can begin to close the racial wealth gap.

This discussion features Chris Lodgson of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, Tiffany Quarles of CJEC and LEAP, and Audra Walton of BlackAF.net and the City of Marina Planning Commission. Together, they examine the moral, historical, and economic case for reparations, respond to common objections, and call for stronger community advocacy.

Topics covered:

• Understanding lineage-based reparations

• California’s recent advancements

• Addressing common objections

• Federal and state mechanisms

• Economic and community impact

• Steps for building advocacy ---