Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see the DMV?
There are no wrong answers, but for some of us just the thought of the DMV sends chills down our spine, especially if you’ve waited in long DMV lines. But for others, like new drivers, there is a palpable sense of excitement, anticipation, and maybe – even – even joy.
First point:
Words can divide or speak
In the various classes I teach on advocacy – not segregation – getting fair housing, I mention the DMV and a few other seemingly random phrases that intentionally evoke strong reactions from students.
Why?
The words we use can evoke emotions that can quickly create friendships or be so embarrassing that they alienate those we hope to work with.
One of those words is DEI (which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion). It has been rebranded to positive monikers like “YOU DEFINITELY earned it” and negative nicknames like “YOU WON’T GET IT”.
In fact, there is nothing in the informal tag line that speaks to the purpose of this saying about real estate and real estate, which is to provide access and opportunity to everyone, whether it is a client or a partner.
Fair housing is not about getting it or being eligible for it. Fair housing is simply – to borrow from the language of the Constitution – an inalienable right. To cover this right to housing, we have not only the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 but several federal amendments and state and local laws that protect more than 19 classes in various parts of the US, including:
- The race
- Color
- Sex
- Family situation
- The origin of the nation
- Disability (this has changed to “person using an assistive device”)
- Religion
- Age
- Ancestry
- Practice sex
- Gender identity
- Marital status
- Military situation
- Victims of domestic violence
- Source of income
- Genetic information
- Pregnancy
- HIV/AIDS
- Criminal record history (houses of justice)
- And others
Therefore, the national discussion of merit does not really exist place in real estate (pun intended). In addition, certain companies infamous for DEI “backlashes” do not share the same opposition history as our Association of Realtors.
Sadly, we’re not new to this: Realtor-led DEI disbanding
Some historical examples of Realtor-led opposition to “access and opportunity” include:
- Professional Release (1920s – 1960s):
- The courts were asked to act “Realtor” is an exclusive trademark that would be prohibition especially black American real estate professionals from using the term.
- White house professionals who are dedicated to fair housing are also excluded from REALTOR associations. For example, seller/owner Margaret Collins tried to join Main Line Board of THE CREATORS three times to access a wide range of properties for sale in the area but was rejected each time. Convinced that the rejection was based on the color of his customers, he sued the Board for preventing illegal trade and won.
- To add insult to injury, Black, Asian and Hispanic/Latino/x/e American housing professionals were often forced to prohibited from trading in designated “white” communities (cf the “Berlin Wall” of Atlanta, Scottsdale, etc.).
- With such restrictions, it is not surprising REALTOR organizations actively prevention campaign the passage of fair housing laws (such as the Rumsford Act), down to the use of the moniker “by force houses“.
Make no mistake despite the opposition of many people, there has always been a remnant of Realtors who were supporters, what I call the Fair Housing DECODERS.
GTTP: Access and opportunity for all
Similar to the mall map index that says “you are there,” when we know our history, we better understand how we got to this point in time and hopefully less likely to repeat it. Our industry should not repeat its opposition to “access and opportunity” for all. Finally, this quick look at the history talks about why the Realtor Association and the DEI committees and councils of the firm are still necessary – to deliberately welcome everyone (as partners and clients), especially groups of people (in some cases, still alive) according to the history of Realtors. outside.
But the national conversation surrounding DEI is so divisive (even if it’s welcome to some and unpleasant to others) that it’s detracting from our industry’s goal of fair housing for all. As a result, if you can’t tell by now, the restructuring I’ve been training for has to do with “access and opportunity” for all.
The result?
Even in states like Florida where DEI is prohibited on many levels, “access and opportunity” is accepted in real estate. This incentive shows that it may be time to reinvent – not just dismantle – our efforts to ensure that everyone has (and continues to have) “access and opportunity” to real estate.
Lee Davenport is a coach/teacher and author.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HousingWire’s editorial department and its owners.
To contact the editor responsible for this piece: [email protected].
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