Housing Racism 101: Notes on The Color of Law

In episode 15 we talked with Remus Bowden about housing racism. In preparation for that interview, Cathy read The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein. In this episode, Cathy shares three thoughts from that reading with Rob. 

From Cathy:

First, I talk about how our public schools and news media understate the frequency and severity of documented, historical instances of racially motivated murder, assault, arson, and other forms of violence. 

Before reading this book, I did not know that incidents of violence meant to enforce residential racial segregation went beyond cross burnings. I did not know a Black family was burned alive in their home in retaliation for moving into a white neighborhood. I did not know how many Black people white supremacists lynched in retaliation for moving into a white neighborhood. I did not know that at least one police officer committed and many officers aided and abetted these crimes. 

Why, then, would I assume I understand the frequency or severity of current instances of violence aimed at reinforcing residential racial segregation? 

My second thought was, what’s really changed?

I do not want to be cynical. But nor do I want to be naive. It’s worse to be naive to injustice. 

Behavior changes when beliefs and incentives change. 

White people still believe that non-white neighbors lower property values.

NPR reported on a 2021 study by Freddie Mac showing appraisers are twice as likely as whites to give Black and Latino homeowners low appraisals. 

HUD is still perpetuating racism with vouchers and public housing. Why just now experimenting with cash assistance?

In the Year of our Lord 2023 in Huntsville Alabama a bunch of old white homeowners showed up to a planning commission meeting to complain about new apartments near their houses. 

Ken Dunn: “These will be high-end apartments I’m sure, but it’s not single-family residences. Apartment complexes tend to decrease the value of our single-family homes” he added.

James Yates: “I grieve for my neighbors on Garth [Road], they will have to look at this [the apartment buildings] every single day.” 

Is it really the buildings these men are worried about? Or the inhabitants?

https://twitter.com/lambda_calculus/status/1727009547380994405?s=12&t=mzC3hPIZqViNIMyjrws4XA&utm_source=pocket_saves

In the past few years police have aided and abetted violent crimes by the Proud Boys, an openly queerphobic, misogynistic, white supremacist group. 

Have the relevant incentives changed?

Housing cannot be a wealth generation vehicle and broadly affordable

People want to talk about using buying a home to get a foot in the door to a middle-class lifestyle. But with homeownership and land value appreciation, that foot in the door is stepping on someone else’s neck. And it’s disproportionately a white family stepping on a non-white family’s neck. 

Upzone Huntsville.