California Democrat proposes tax on gold, cotton, tobacco, and other 'slave' goods to fund homes and schools for African Americans, in new twist on reparations

A California Democrat wants to tax sales of gold, cotton, tobacco and other goods linked to slavery — and to divert the money to black residents, in the latest bid to turn reparations into reality.

The bill by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer is one of more than a dozen bills backed by the California Legislative Black Caucus seeking reparations for black Californians, especially the descendants of slaves.

They stem from a July 2023 report from the state Reparations Task Force, where Jones-Sawyer served as a member, and underscores efforts to turn controversial policies into a legally-binding compensation scheme.

Starting in July 2025, those buying 'gold bullion and gold coins' in California would pay a tax at the point of purchase, Jones-Sawyer's bill states.

Democrat Reggie Jones-Sawyer's gold and cotton tax will buy homes for black people

Those buying gold bullion and gold coins in the state will be hit with an 'unspecified' tax

The tax would also apply to 'tangible property made in whole or in part from cotton, or tobacco products.'

Those buying 'wine, olives, cane sugar, granulated sugar, rice, and coffee beans' in stores would also pay the tax.

The tax rate is 'unspecified' at this point, the bill states.

The revenues would flow into a 'Reparations Fund' that would be available to African Americans, and focussed especially on those who are a 'descendant of persons enslaved in the United States.'

Black residents could apply to the fund for housing loans or to cover tuition costs at approved colleges for courses up to four years in length.

Jones-Sawyer's office did not answer DailyMail.com's request for details on how the tax scheme would work. 

The bill was introduced in February and amended earlier this month.

It focuses on goods linked to the transatlantic slave trade from the 15th to the 19th century, when at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped, forcibly transported by European ships and merchants and sold into slavery.

Those who survived the brutal voyage ended up toiling on plantations in the Americas, including in Brazil, the Caribbean, and the United States, while others profited from their labor.

Rallies like this helped propel reparations into California politics, but it remains unclear if they will become law  

Reparations campaigners have struggled to make cash payouts to blacks a reality, faced with stiff public opposition

Enslaved Africans ended up toiling on plantations in the Americas, including in Brazil, the Caribbean, and the United States

A UN report in September suggested countries should consider financial reparations to compensate for slavery.

Jones-Sawyer's bill was part of a package of more than a dozen proposals introduced last month after California's first-in-the nation reparations task force sent a report, two years in the making.

The package didn't include the multimillion dollar cash payments to black families that were floated earlier by task force members.

Reparations campaigners say it's time for America to repay its black residents for the injustices of the historic Transatlantic slave trade, Jim Crow segregation and inequalities that persist to this day.

The sums are eye-watering — black lawmakers in Washington seek at least $14 trillion for a federal scheme to 'eliminate the racial wealth gap' between black and white Americans.

Critics say payouts to selected black people will inevitably stoke divisions between winners and losers, and raise questions about why American Indians and others don't get their own handouts.

Reparations are popular among the black people who stand to benefit from them, but unpopular among the whites, Asians, and others who would foot the tax bill without themselves benefiting. 

A survey last year of 6,000 registered California voters found that only 23 percent supported cash reparations, while 59 percent were opposed.