From Donald Trump pulling the ultimate political hat trick of losing the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Presidency in four years to the Derek Chauvin verdict, to the treasonous behavior of those who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to the international sea of millions who adopted the Black Lives Matter moniker, our current environment is that of a social reckoning.
Racially-restrictive deeds were a ubiquitous part of real estate transactions. Covenants were embedded in property deeds all over the country to keep people who were not white from buying or even occupying land
Here in the United States a good many of our social ills deal with race and/or class. People who have been sleep a good portion of their life have awakened. Some ponder the question of the racial disparities placed right on their doorstep. Racism is an institutional construct. In other words the system was created and in many cases codified into law.
The wealth gap presents great data for our divide. On the other hand another element to maintain the gap was racial covenants regarding home or property ownership. They were a tried and true method to keep minorities, specifically those of African descent from purchasing property. It was a little secret but it was law (until in was struck down in 1968) and since it dealt with ownership or property rights, it was part of the official title record. Even though we are in 2021 and the majority of homeowners have no idea of its existence (I mean, who has the time or experience to read a title report?). But, if you ever have the time and look, it is there and its purpose was to legally restrict who could purchase property.
Today the Los Angeles Times explored the topic in greater detail. So, I would encourage you to educate yourself of how these elements created the racial disparities that is current social discussion is attempting to correct.
LOS ANGELES TIMES – THE UGLY AND TRUE HISTORY OF RACIAL COVENANTS
Thomas Reports 