The deed to your Seattle-area home may contain racist language. Here’s how to fix it. (Bellevue: apartment)

[homesinseattle]

If you own a house in Broadmoor, Capitol Hill, View Ridge, Queen Anne or more than a dozen other Seattle neighborhoods, there’s a good chance that the original property deed allowed only white (and often non Jewish) people to own the land it sits on. Now, you can fix it — at least on paper. As of Jan. 1, a new law allows you to file a request with the county auditor striking the discriminatory language from your deed. There’s no fee, and no need to hire a lawyer. Here's the link and a great article: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle...how-to-fix-it/

[rjshae]

It's shameful that such legal constraints still exist. I remember similar repulsive language for a housing lot in Bellevue when I was younger. Really it should be declared unconstitutional.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by rjshae

It's shameful that such legal constraints still exist. I remember similar repulsive language for a housing lot in Bellevue when I was younger. Really it should be declared unconstitutional.

Shae, they aren't constraints in any way. Of course, anyone can buy anywhere. This is very old language from the original deed.

[Cinema Cat]

Originally Posted by rjshae

It's shameful that such legal constraints still exist. I remember similar repulsive language for a housing lot in Bellevue when I was younger. Really it should be declared unconstitutional.

It is unconstitutional. But yes, housing discrimination still happens.

But don't everyone just blame whites for housing discrimination. Ultra-Orthodox Jews are notorious for keeping their communities free from diversity. Consider the Village of Kiryas Joel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiryas_Joel,_New_York

From the Wikipedia page:

[Moses Teitelbaum] responded by running the village in what they called an autocratic manner, through his deputy, Abraham Weider, who also served as mayor and president of the school board, as well as the main synagogue and yeshiva in the village.[21]

In 1989, the village forbade any property owner from selling or renting an apartment without its permission. Teitelbaum elaborated that "anyone that rents without this permission has to be dealt with like a real murderer ... and he should be torn out from the roots."[32]

Ultra-Orthodox Jews have an easier time than white gentiles in getting away with racism. Partially because Ultra-Orthodox Jews are politically powerful. And partially because it's easy to call whites racist. How can a white respond? But if you're too critical of Jews, you risk being called anti-Semitic.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by Cinema Cat

It is unconstitutional. But yes, housing discrimination still happens.

But don't everyone just blame whites for housing discrimination. Ultra-Orthodox Jews are notorious for keeping their communities free from diversity. Consider the Village of Kiryas Joel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiryas_Joel,_New_York

From the Wikipedia page:

[Moses Teitelbaum] responded by running the village in what they called an autocratic manner, through his deputy, Abraham Weider, who also served as mayor and president of the school board, as well as the main synagogue and yeshiva in the village.[21]

In 1989, the village forbade any property owner from selling or renting an apartment without its permission. Teitelbaum elaborated that "anyone that rents without this permission has to be dealt with like a real murderer ... and he should be torn out from the roots."[32]

Ultra-Orthodox Jews have an easier time than white gentiles in getting away with racism. Partially because Ultra-Orthodox Jews are politically powerful. And partially because it's easy to call whites racist. How can a white respond? But if you're too critical of Jews, you risk being called anti-Semitic.

Your point is well taken CinemaCat, there are extremists in any group. I don't like the tone of your last sentence, though, unnecessary.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by Cinema Cat

It is unconstitutional. But yes, housing discrimination still happens.

But don't everyone just blame whites for housing discrimination. Ultra-Orthodox Jews are notorious for keeping their communities free from diversity. Consider the Village of Kiryas Joel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiryas_Joel,_New_York

From the Wikipedia page:

[Moses Teitelbaum] responded by running the village in what they called an autocratic manner, through his deputy, Abraham Weider, who also served as mayor and president of the school board, as well as the main synagogue and yeshiva in the village.[21]

In 1989, the village forbade any property owner from selling or renting an apartment without its permission. Teitelbaum elaborated that "anyone that rents without this permission has to be dealt with like a real murderer ... and he should be torn out from the roots."[32]

Ultra-Orthodox Jews have an easier time than white gentiles in getting away with racism. Partially because Ultra-Orthodox Jews are politically powerful. And partially because it's easy to call whites racist. How can a white respond? But if you're too critical of Jews, you risk being called anti-Semitic.

If you're critical of Jews, you are anti Semitic. If you are critical of things that some Jews do, that's another story. Not all Jews are the same or behave in the same manner. But yes, there is a powerful Israel lobby, and any criticism of Israel is labeled as anti Semitic, which is unfortunate because the government of Israel deserves criticism. Just as not all Muslims or Christians are the same. But I agree with you about Kiryas Joel. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with discrimination like that.