A Look at the Legislation Combating Racism
This February, the nation celebrates Black History Month. While it is important to honor all of the work that has been done to create a more equitable society, it is also necessary to highlight the work that still needs to be done. Within the Commonwealth, there have been great strides made in racial equity. Some of the most important efforts to fight racism have been done through legislation. From the filing of dockets, the committee hearings, the debates, and the signing of bills, the Massachusetts Legislature continues to work to improve the lives of BIPOC.
In this legislative session alone, we have seen many bills introduced attempting to tackle racism in many facets of the lives of Massachusetts residents. Though Constitutional rights are legally extended to all, regardless of race, historical factors have made it such that racial inequality is still seen through legislation (though implicitly), the racial wealth gap, school integration, segregation in health care, and recently an increased focus on cannabis-related law. This has long been a complex and layered issue that is difficult to solve as racial injustice is heavily maintained by a myriad of factors. Below, we have highlighted 5 bills that emphasize the legislature’s efforts to boost social equity.
Harm Reduction
A way that we have seen the legislature address an aspect of racial injustice is through the filing of SD448 (An Act Relative to Harm Reduction and Racial Justice). The purpose of this bill is to amend a current Massachusetts General Law that establishes penalties for unlawful possession of controlled substances (drugs whose possession are regulated by the government, including heroin and marijuana). Amending this General Law would eliminate criminal penalties and impose a fine of no more than $50 or the participation in a needs screening. This screening has the goal of identifying any of the person’s physical, mental or other needs. The goal of this bill is to help reduce racial injustice, which we so often see perpetuated through the criminalization of drugs and the unequal enforcement of harsh prison sentences for the possession of drugs.
Cannabis Possession
Similar to the discussion of racial justice through elimination of penalties for possession of controlled substances, is the effort to make the cannabis industry in Massachusetts more equitable. This has been seen in the efforts by the Legislature in the 2021-2022 cycle to pass SB3096 (An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry), which was eventually signed, though a part of it was vetoed by Governor Baker. This bill establishes language for ballot initiatives for the sale of marijuana in local Massachusetts communities and allows for smoking in licensed marijuana consumption establishments. Also, this bill establishes the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund to approve of local community agreements involving the sale of cannabis and a board to direct this fund, while also creating a social equity program.
This bill was designed to address the societal inequity maintained by the current restrictions to accessing cannabis. Due to the fact that ownership and sale of cannabis is a federal offense, harsh constraints and laws involving the drug have been a basis for charging and imprisoning large numbers of Black people throughout America. Along with legally ending the disparities that current restrictions of cannabis create, this bill can also bridge the gap with social differences as well.
Wealth Gap
One of the longest-lasting effects of racial injustice in the United States is the existence of a racial wealth gap, in which the average black household earns roughly half of that of the average white household. Furthermore, black families hold 2.9% of overall wealth, despite accounting for 16% of the US population. By comparison, white families maintain 80% of overall wealth while accounting for 68% of the population. This gap can be explained by historical factors which make accumulating wealth incredibly difficult for households of color. On a federal and state level, addressing the racial wealth gap has been the crux for combating racial inequality.
One such method of combating racial disparities is through the establishment of a Baby Bond Trust Fund, the goal of bill HD783, aptly named “An Act Addressing the Racial Wealth Gap.” Baby Bond Trust Funds are at-birth government-funded accounts that participants can access upon turning 18 but before reaching 35, geared towards low-income families. The use of the trust fund would have to meet eligibility requirements including furthering education, entrepreneurship, or home ownership. This act follows last year’s announcement from Treasurer Goldberg about the creation of a Massachusetts Baby Bond Task Force. A bond program of this sort aims to provide financial assistance to promote the long-term accumulation of wealth in black households, effectively combating the racial wealth gap.
Public Health
A long standing effect of racism in the US are the disparities in the public health sector. This is precisely what bill HD3703 (An Act Regarding Racism as a Public Health Crisis in Massachusetts) works to address. This bill would have the Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH) declare racism a public health crisis in order to implement policies aimed at dismantling systemic racism, as well as proposing a health equity audit of DPH services, increasing health data transparency surrounding race, and creating programs that focus on chronic diseases affecting primarily communities of color. Several other bills were proposed this session that target racial inequality in healthcare and propose things such as decreasing racial injustice in security net hospitals, increasing racial diversity in healthcare, having accessible public health and more. HB3703 would be a large step towards reducing the racial inequalities pervasive in the healthcare system.
Racially Integrated Schools
The Massachusetts school system has a long and complex history involving racism and segregation. While segregation on the basis of race is no longer legal, Massachusetts still has some of the most segregated schools in the country. Despite various programs and laws over the years to better integrate schools, the problem has yet to be resolved. As of 2022, about 60% of Boston schools are intensely segregated.
Addressing this issue is complex and difficult as it is caused and maintained by many factors deeply rooted in our society. However, one of the ways in which the Legislature is attempting to address segregation in Massachusetts schools is through SD455 (An Act Promoting Racially Integrated Schools). This bill creates a grant program for the development of programs in school districts which will increase the racial diversity of the student population.
The celebration of Black History Month reminds us of the important work that lies ahead to achieve racial justice. This work begins in Massachusetts through the legislative changes surrounding cannabis possession, wealth, public health, and education that aim to reduce race-based inequality.
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