Acknowledging the Past, Shaping an Equitable Future: NAR's Journey from Exclusion to Inclusion

Hey family!!!  Today we're diving deep into a tough chapter of real estate history. We're talking about the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and their legacy of racial discrimination—a truth that for too long was swept under the rug.

Back in the day, specifically 1924, the NAR's Code of Ethics was straight-up racist. They had rules that basically said, "Keep certain races out of neighborhoods, or property values will drop." It's painful to even think about it. This wasn't just about hurt feelings; it was systematic oppression that fueled segregation and widened the racial wealth gap through redlining and steering.

Fast forward to 1968, and there's the Fair Housing Act trying to make things right, but who's opposing it? The NAR. That's right, they stood against a law designed to end housing discrimination based on race and other identities. It's like they were guarding the gate to homeownership and only letting in who they wanted.

Now, let's hit the fast-forward button again to 2020. Something big happened. NAR President Charlie Oppler stepped up and offered a formal apology for the association's discriminatory past. It was a moment of owning up to the hurt caused, a betrayal of trust and fairness. But an apology without action is just empty words, right?

So, what's NAR doing about it? They're hitting the ground running with their Fair Housing ACT! plan, focusing on accountability, culture change, and training. They're not just talking the talk; they're walking the walk with Fairhaven—an interactive training platform where realtors can experience discrimination scenarios firsthand.

And there's more. The NAR updated their Code of Ethics to explicitly ban hate speech and discrimination. They're also pushing for policies that help close the homeownership gap—things like down payment assistance and fair credit scoring.

But let's keep it real. The scars of systemic racism don't heal overnight. The gap in homeownership rates between Black Americans and other races is still glaring. And even with all these efforts, people of color face an uphill battle when it comes to owning a home.

Remember, family, history is not just about looking back; it's a guide for what comes next. We've got work to do.

Until next time, stay educated, stay empowered, and stay dedicated to making a difference. This is Tayla Andre signing off. Peace and blessings.