Tucson neighborhood gets rid of racist housing rules
- Emily Ricketts, an African American resident of Tucson, discovered a housing restriction prohibiting her and others of African descent from living in her neighborhood.
- The neighborhood association, with the help of a new law, convened to remove these racist restrictions that had been in place for decades.
- The amendment signifies a commitment to inclusivity and reflects the community's values, promoting freedom and choice for all residents.
In Tucson, Arizona, a significant change occurred in a Midtown neighborhood where a long-standing housing restriction against African Americans was addressed. Emily Ricketts, an 89-year-old African American resident, discovered that her neighborhood had a covenant prohibiting people of African or Mongolian descent from living there. This restriction, although unenforceable due to the Fair Housing Act of 1968, had remained in place for decades, affecting the community's perception and inclusivity. The neighborhood association convened to amend these outdated and racist restrictions, a process made possible by the recent passage of the Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act. This bipartisan legislation allows neighborhood associations across Arizona to eliminate such discriminatory language from their records. Ricketts, along with other members of the association, signed an amendment to officially remove the racist language. Laurel Shane, the president of the neighborhood association, highlighted the importance of this change, noting that the restrictions did not reflect the values of the community. The Mapping Racist Covenants Project played a crucial role in uncovering these discriminatory practices, which still appeared in loan documents for prospective homeowners, causing discomfort and concern. The removal of these restrictions symbolizes a step towards freedom and equality for residents like Ricketts, who expressed that democracy is about choice and freedom. This action not only rectifies a historical injustice but also fosters a more inclusive environment for all residents in the neighborhood.