Housing Discrimination in the 1900's

American Housing Discrimination in the 1900's

Figure 1. Analogy of Discrimination

Howdy partner! I’m your fellow cowboy Dan! Now I know what might come to your head when you think of a cowboy, but I’m not your stereotypical cowboy. I’m more of a modern cowboy, and I don’t hate any Indians just so you know. In fact, I am here to share some history with you. Have you ever wondered what us cowboys argued with the Indians over? Long ago when the ‘old’ cowboys discovered the Indians, there was a disagreement on what land belonged to who. This disagreement was so upsetting, because they both refused to share land since they had different skin colors. Long after that, but not long ago there was a similar incidence between the Caucasians and Minorities in the United States of America. Caucasian is a term used for people with ‘white’ skin color. Since they are the majority population, any other race is considered the minority. This disagreement was less extreme than what happened between the cowboys and Indians, but it is still very similar. I am here today as your fellow cowboy to share with you some history behind the discrimination against minorities in the 1900’s.

Figure 2. Painting of Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Great Depression was a time of sadness in the 1920’s when unemployment rate was at an all time high (1). This meant a lot of Americans had no jobs to supply their families with what they needed and it was a terrifying time, but when it ended there was a great uproar in hope. The sudden hope was driven by the president at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt introduced a collection of ideas that made up what is called the New Deal. Basically, the New Deal was meant to make it easier for the people to purchase new homes for a cheaper price (1). Therefore, many of the people in America with little money had more opportunity to supply their families with homes. This sounded like a great step forward for Americans, but it also marked the beginning of a new cowboy and Indian argument.

Figure 3. Example of Housing Discrimination

Many minorities at the time were excited for the New Deal just as everyone else was, but when they looked to pursue their dreams like their Caucasian neighbors, they were presented with a big problem. When minorities across the country went to buy these new homes they were told it was not allowed simply because of their skin color (2). This was a confusing and upsetting thing to hear since many of those minorities were also World War II Veterans (3). Can you imagine going shopping for the new toy you’ve been dying to get your hands on? Just to finally get your hands on it as you bring it to the register, only for the cashier to tell you no because the color of your skin? It is pretty insane to think there was practically another cowboy and Indian argument less than 100 years ago!

As the modern cowboy I am today, I do not agree with the cowboy and Indian argument many years ago. I also don’t agree with this recent dispute, but it is very important to keep this history in the back of our minds! Many of us cowboys didn’t see another argument coming, but it can happen at anytime. I hope you keep this in mind, because I don’t think we need anymore arguments over skin color in the future! I’m your fellow cowboy Dan, and don’t be afraid to share this incredible and shocking history with someone you know!

References

(1) United States History.(n.d.). The New Deal. Retrieved from https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1851.html

(2) Lambert, B. (1997, December 28). At 50, Levittown Contends With Its Legacy of Bias. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/28/nyregion/at-50-levittown-contends-with-its-legacy-of-bias.html

(3) Loewen, J. W. (2015). Sundown Towns. A hidden dimension of American racism . Retrieved from https://sundown.tougaloo.edu/sundowntowns.php

Figure 1. https://www.bizlibrary.com/weekly-video-highlight/rid-company-culture-of-disrespect-and-discrimination/

Figure 2. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franklin-D-Roosevelt

Figure 3. https://changefromwithin.org/2011/08/03/privilege-and-housing-discrimination/