in #BlackHistoryIsAmericanHistory, I'll share a personal story of a White friend of mine. Her Grandfather, while fighting in the war, made friends with a Black solider from his town. Upon returning home, they both recieved their GI Bill and purchased a home for $8k each.
Laws forbade the Black vet from purchasing in certain areas. The White vet purchased in an upscale area. The Black vet purchased on the Black side of town. My friend went on to tell me that he grandfather's house was long paid off and worth over $1 million today.
While homes on the side of town the Black vet purchased never increased higher than $125k. My friend told me that everyone in her family recieved loans from the equity in granddads house to attend college, and use as down payments for their first homes.
While you can imagine, the equity in the Black vets home would not go as far. This is a prime example of how #SystemicRacism doesn't just put Whites at an advantage, but creates #GenerationalWealth and #generational disadvantages.
The fair housing act of 1968 sought to end housing discrimination by race (and other factors). However, many Blacks are still aware of ways housing discrimination impacts their lives today. For instance, does your #HOA not allow the posting of for sale signs?
Does your coop board manage in-person interviews before a person can purchase a home in the building? (I was denied by a coop board in Chicago in 2005 after my in-person interview).
Does first priority of home sales go to family members or descendents of those who grew up in the area? Investigate ways your community might systematically keep Black & Brown people out, and seek policy to address it.
#housingDiscrimination is #americanhistory
#housingDiscrimination is #americanhistory
This is the first time I ever got more than 12 likes on a #BlackHistoryIsAmericanHistory tweet.
While you're here, check out the others.
While you're here, check out the others.
