Under a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newson, the state is launching a task force to study how it might approach reparations. The effort is a reminder that although California joined the union as a "free" state in 1850, forms of slavery continued here -- and legalized discrimination of African Americans followed. Reporters Dustin Gardiner and Justin Phillips discuss how we got here, and what comes next. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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