Can Reparations Solve the Problems Created
By Race-Based Housing Discrimination?
Owning a home is one of most important ways families can build generational wealth over time. Because of race-based housing discrimination from the past to the present, Black Americans have not been able to buy and own homes in the same way as White Americans. The law has played a major role in this inequity, considering that the courts have set legal precedent around racial discriminatory housing policies. Current debates regarding the need for reparations for Black Americans point to housing discrimination as a key reason federal or state governments should provide Black Americans with reparations. This inquiry allows students to look closely at key legal cases related to race and housing, including an analysis of redlining, blockbusting and racial covenant laws. Students are then challenged to use their historical knowledge to think about what should be done in the present to create a fair solution for Black Americans denied equal opportunity to housing.
Helpful Hints
- Historical Empathy
- When reading and discussing issues, encourage students to try taking the perspective of people from that time period when discussing point of view.
- Discussion Questions
- The discussion questions are the key element of the lessons. It is imperative that students discuss questions amongst themselves with the teacher acting as the facilitator. Please refer to guidelines on transactive discussion tips and techniques.
- Writing prompts
- Writing prompts are also key in reinforcing the new information and the discussion that has taken place. The prompts allow students to integrate the perspectives they have heard into a cohesive argument.
- Make sure students complete writing prompts even if it means assigning the prompt as homework.