Here's how real estate professionals in 1948 perpetuated segregation in DC

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Here’s how real estate professionals in 1948 perpetuated segregation in DC

HISTORY By Neil Flanagan (Contributor) October 14, 2020

This article was first published on November 12, 2015. An August 2020 New York Times article reminded us that some racist and discriminatory practices are hard to dismantle even today, so we wanted to share this piece with you again.

It wasn’t that long ago that DC’s Real Estate Board told agents not to sell homes in white areas to black people. A 1948 report called Segregation in Washington put the discrimination into plain language.





The problem in a picture. All images from the National Committee on Segregation in the Nation’s Capital.

{snip}

[Hoyt]

1. That history is deplorable, but not that unusual. I remember reading employment ads in 1970s

in my rube state that specifically said "only Caucasians need apply," and that was considered being nice. And who can forget that into the 1960s public funded state colleges refusing to allow Black students enter. Those were GOPers "good ole days."

[IronLionZion]

2. I still encounter that today in DC

They wish they could say it that explicitly. But instead, government contracting firms will say only US citizens need apply (because of security clearances) and then stubbornly deny my citizenship (US, documented, easily verified). One of them came close to admitting the only reason I made it past the phone screening is because I have an American accent and a Christian name.

[Hoyt]

3. I'm sorry. Just isn't right, but I know it goes on.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. That kind of thing was true pretty much everywhere

in this country back then.

Plus, of course, Jews were subject to much the same restrictions.