Distinguished Law School Research Professor Says Discrimination In Real Estate Is ‘An Outrage’
It is illegal to deny someone the opportunity to buy, sell, or rent property because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability in the United States. But, over half a century after the Fair Housing Act (1968) was enacted, discrimination in renting, buying, and selling real estate, appraisals and financing still exists. “This is an outrage. This is emotionally troublesome,” says Robert Schwemm, a Fair Housing lawyer and the Ashland-Spears Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus at the University of Kentucky College of Law. “It’s real, and it’s very unfortunate.” Watch the video above to hear more from Robert Schwemm about discrimination in housing, the practice of “steering,” and his role in the 2019 Long Island Newsday short documentary, Testing The Divide. The conclusion of this two-part episode, “Fighting Back: Real Estate Bias Exposed,” airs Friday. And later, Dr. Corey Yeager, a psychotherapist for the Detroit Pistons and author of “How Am I Doing?: 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself,” breaks down the mental and emotional toll bias takes on black Americans. Check your local listing for airtimes. WATCH: ‘To See Blatant Racism, It’s Shocking,’ Says Real Estate Broker About Fair Housing Act Violations TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Outrageous news story in your town?
