The Shameful Presence of Prejudice

A half a year ago, I wrote about the shameful presence of prejudicein some real estate transactions.  In response to my post, I asked my husband and psychologist, Dr. John Yacenda, to comment on his read of the situation.

He reminded us that it is illegal for Realtors to steer persons to one neighborhood or another based on their racial or ethnic make-ups.  Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (including a revision to the act in 1974) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. 

Why can't we get this -- As he pointed out: ALL NEIGHBORHOODS are made up of a multi-generational families of religious, social and ethic diversity that give these neighborhoods character and value - your neighborhood, too. 

The issue arose yet again for me when inspecting properties the other day and speaking with neighbors.  There appear to be different rules for one neighborhood over another, and I'm seeing a form of "racial testing" at the heart of it.

Do you see this?  I mean, are some things OKAY in a neighborhood because it's mostly a certain ethnicity (e.g., cars on blocks in the driveway or side yard, lawn chairs regularly set up on the front lawn, flags flying from the porch posts), and do you see relative neighborhood value being ascribed to different neighborhoods based in their "ethnic" mix?

Just a couple of curious questions to ask.

We believe habits and customs, time, income, and personal interests all affect the character of a neighborhood, and that if persons of diversity can all afford to live in the same neighborhood, everyone in the neighborhood is responsible for contributing to the quality of their neighborhood.

To be sure, prejudice and hate do not belong in any real estate transaction, and as Realtors we should do everything in our power to resist deals tainted by prejudice.  Our moral code is responsible for the existence of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (including a revision to the act in 1974).  

Let's not forget that we're the ones that make laws work...not the courts!