In Coloma, California, Black families seek restitution for land taken from their ancestors for a state park. Their efforts reflect broader calls for reparations from Black Americans for historical injustices. The issue often centers on land, echoing a broken 19th-century promise by the U.S. government to give formerly enslaved people 40 acres. Despite stalled reparations bills in Congress, California has made strides with state law to study reparations.
Coloma's history is rooted in the 1848 gold rush, which attracted diverse groups, including Black people. Black and white families later had their land taken for the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, which opened in 1942. The park features a museum and a 42-foot monument to James W. Marshall, who found gold in the area.
Recently, California State Parks initiated efforts to acknowledge Black families' contributions to Coloma. They created a webpage detailing properties owned by Black families. Elmer Fonza, a descendant of Nelson Bell, a formerly enslaved man who owned land in Coloma, argues for returning his family's property to restore lost generational wealth.
The story of the Monroe-Gooch family, prosperous Black landowners in Coloma, is also highlighted. Jonathan Burgess, claiming land linked to his ancestors, emphasizes the need for truth and restitution, either through compensation or returning land. This fight mirrors a broader push in California, where lawmakers are considering bills to create an agency to help Black residents trace their lineage and to return or compensate families for seized land.
Governor Gavin Newsom's 2024 budget includes $12 million for reparations legislation, reflecting a growing movement to address historical land seizures. State Sen. Steven Bradford, a proponent of these proposals, highlights that reparations are about land ownership, vital for building generational wealth.
Link: NBCNews
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