Understanding the Fair Housing Act: Why do people discriminate?

While I am creating my portfolio for Multi Listing Service descriptions, I came across with this term, "Fair Housing Act." This act is implemented in US Real Estate settings to which it entails that people have the right to housing regardless of age, religion, sexual orientation, race, status, gender and disability and it strongly discourages people to discriminate others.

When this would be applied in making Multi Listing descriptions, you cannot say for example "This stunning house is perfect choice for gay couples in ...." because it gives an impression that it becomes inclusive to only a certain group and discriminating. 

To understand further about it, I went to see a  video from National Association of Realtors on YouTube and from there this act has a deeper roots and it emphasizes how this act have protected many people. Eventhough this act is on effect up to this day and most people strongly supports it but still there are others who is not in favour of it and still discriminates people either indirectly or subconsciously.

It can't be helped but to think, why there are some people likes to discriminate people? Is there any deeper reason? or do they have a strong basis from it? or simply discriminates out of nowhere or simply follow what the society or trend tells to them.

Here are some of the reasons that I do feel that leads them into this discriminating behaviors.

First is their past experiences or incidences from the kind of people, they are discriminating with. For instance, they have past experience with Africans who are difficult or aggressive. This incident might be over but if there is another African who wants to buy the property, the neighborhood might not accept him because of the past encounter with the previous Africans who visits the place. This can be also applied to someone who has some aggression issues or past criminal offenses that people on the neighborhood will not welcome them.

We can also observed that there is some stereotyping going on because from a small negative behavior, it then completely associates with a certain kind of people and we forget the fact that although they belong to same race or kind of people but it doesn't mean that all of them are doing the same negative behaviors or being a bad bunch of people.

Sometimes some people trust their own intuition about someone before they accept this person in. They may not know the person fully however if they feel something that is having a bad vibes then they will make a decision based from that and instead of doing verification or understand person or people concerned about their real situation.

Next reason in line is, in some countries have accepted people from different nationalities to migrate, study, work or set a business however some people are not in favour of the sight of them. They have this assumption that these foreigners would take everything from them like getting jobs or claim benefits. With the clash of differences in terms of appearance, orientation and values, it may look fine at the surface but deep within there is this brewing tension in the neighborhood.

Discrimination against the vulnerable people and those with disability is also evident in some neighborhoods and what I can see the reason for some people is, they discriminate because of the lack of resources that could support them or it could be their only excuse and simply their personal bias kicks in. One of the neighbors may comment that "You are better of with the other neighborhood." It may sound as if nothing sinister with this comment or it could be well meant but for others there is a hidden hatred of some sorts and this is no good atmosphere in the neighborhood.

Another set of vulnerable people that receiving discrimination are the hoarders, some people are often misunderstood them as difficult people to live with and the hoard that they create affects also the health of their love ones and the neighbors nearby but if you go deeper with the problem, the person concern definitely needs a careful help and not all people have the time to understand that and they would only prioritize first is themselves.

These are the reasons that I do think why discrimination happens based from my observations however there are still more and newly set of reasons that would possibly come in formation or haven't been mentioned. 

Here are some of the things I realized, when we encounter new people on the block, we don't have the time to think, verify and get to know the person on a personal level we have have an immediate tendency to use our biases and judgments or we treat that person poorly but we don't have a rational or valid basis as to why we are doing that or it could be the other way that you as one of the residents that is aware about your rights and you encountered a neighbor that is difficult however you are hesitating to report it the management or with the right authorities for the fear of confrontation and you are misunderstood as someone who discriminates others while you simply asserting boundaries and your rights about your safety. Your success of asserting your rights would depend on a tactful communication and applying the right measures.

During the course of our lives, meeting difficult and discriminating people are inevitable however whatever their behavior towards you always keep your ground and know your rights and be aware of the legal laws and right measures in dealing with these kind of people. We also need to accept the fact that eventhough we paid for the property, we cannot always do everything we want (for example making some loud noise and music at night while the neighborhood is settling themselves to sleep or bringing unknown item that jeopardize the safety of everyone without the consent). Before we do anything new in our neighborhood, the first thing we must do is to review and see if it complies with the Home Owners Association (HOA) and seek consultation and permission from them is possible. It is important to be mindful about your neighbors and the living dynamics in that community to maintain harmonious and peaceful living relationship with them.

As for neighbors who are having judgements towards others, it would be better to understand your whys and what is your valid reasons of doing such behavior and see yourself if you are on their situation. Would you be happy if you are being receiving a bad treatment just like them?

To see the change you are seeking, having passive aggressive behaviors or even a direct form of aggression wouldn't help anyone nor solve any issues. Let your needs and boundaries be known by having an open and honest communication about it. Sometimes by talking about your side of things makes people understand where you are coming from and they mentioned theirs. They will adjust accordingly or it could be that you set your expectation bars too high that people cannot simply keep up with it. Learn to have compassion to others and compromise a bit so everyone can reach a common ground to leave harmoniously.

Regulating our emotions, compassion and communicating with others effectively are things that we need in these tough situations. We know that life is tough to some, so why you add the burden by discriminating the people because they are different to you and they have nothing against you personally. Just like you, they are also trying to cope with life. Get to know people more instead of letting your assumptions, judgments and suspicions about someone gets ahead of you. If the person is confirmed as posing a threat to someone or the majority, that's the time legal measures takes place. Regardless whether you follow the Fair housing act & other housing acts in US and in other countries and is experiencing discrimination then these are the thoughts to reflect by and we need an appropriate mindset to take an action.