Forty years ago, Congress had one of its finer moments, passing the Fair Housing Act, prohibiting the discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin and religion in the sale, rental or financing of housing.
Since then, the act has been amended to include gender discrimination, people with disabilities or families with children under 18 years old.
Long Island Housing Services, whose mission is the elimination of housing discrimination, is remembering the historic legislation with a gala April 24 at the Melville Marriott.
More from LIHS:
“Well known civil rights advocates, lawyers, realtors, and members of the clergy are expected to be in attendance. James H. Carr, editor of the recently released “Segregation: The Rising Costs for America ,” is the featured guest speaker and will be available to sign books. LIHS will honor special supporters: Margarita Logan and Robert W. Ralph, pioneers in the local struggle for Fair Housing. Other event details include an historic photo display from the Freedom Marches of 1965-1966, live jazz and folk music performed by Ahmad Ali, an extraordinary confection by Oheka Castle’s renowned Pastry Chef Androtti, and a raffle.
Michelle Santantonio, Executive Director of LIHS, states that “The passage of the Fair Housing Act was one of the most important developments in our nation’s social history. I am encouraged that so many like-minded individuals are committed to our cause and showing their support by attending the April 24th event. We would like to extend an invitation to all those who feel passionate about social and economic justice, the bequest of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision and struggle for peace and equality and all that have strived to make civil rights and equality in housing choice a reality.”
I think this piece is dead on. LI doesn’t need to promote proverty and dependence, that’s NYC’s job.
Mr. Seabrook, I do feel the same way and I tried to post a response to Servo last week. Unfortunately, however, my posts have not been going through. I am not sure why. Anyway, I thought his comments were way off-base and it seemed like he really didn’t know what he was talking about. You are correct in saying that this type of housing promotes a stigma and a “label” on the people living there. People need to “get real” and face the facts with regard to this stuff. It’s time for everyone in this country to talk about race and poverty issues openly and with honesty. Without discussing these thiings, there will never be a solution to the problems we have faced for generations.
Frank,
This comment thread began under Ambrose Clancy’s post about the Long Island Housing Services’ scheduled event to remember the Fair Housing Act, thus the title.
Thanks.
Frank, yes, I understand your point completely and I agree wholeheartedly — bad idea all around.
One quick comment - I do, however, think that this issue does involve race, particularly when it comes to affordable housing. Statistically speaking, those of color fall below the poverty line much more often than whites — it is an atrocity, but, it is a fact. (Yes, no one likes to talk about it, but it is true). Many times, these affordable housing developments become just another place to “drop” those who aren’t white or who cannot live up to the financial standards our government has for treating people like people. Just look at Hurricane Katrina as an example. 3 years later these poor (mostly Black) people are STILL without suitable homes.
Perhaps our government should take the money they are giving to build these “affordable” housing developments and put it to better public education in poorer areas.
While the robe comment may have been over the top, i stand by my comments - anonymously, as the Internet allows (see below).
Just as the use of the term “aesthetically pleasing” set off alarm bells for you , the use of such thinly-veiled buzzwords as “poverty traps” “social housing” “public housing” “housing projects” “section 8 programs” “black hole of governmental dependence” as well as suggesting that workforce housing communities will become a place for violence, drug use and prostitution sets off huge alarms for me.
And frankly I still believe discussion of your column belongs in a thread like this, with a picture like that. That was my original point, before I went over the top.
“That’s what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously.” (Banky Edwards, “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”)
To Mr. Servo,
So you do believe in “slandering others anonymously”. Thanks for admitting it anonymously.
To Powderly II,
Allowing this “slandering” to happen strips your newspaper and forum from any integrity I thought it had. Perhaps you should consider publishing under the National Enquirer.
[...] piece, written by Frank Seabrook, has since been debated under LI Biz Blog’s post on the Long Island Housing Services’ scheduled event to remember the Fair Housing Act and [...]
We’ve decided to move the debate over Frank Seabrook’s Op-Ed to its own post.
http://libizblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/raging-debate-levys-workforce-housing-plan/
Please comment there if you wish to debate his stance.
Um…I did comment on Frank’s Op-Ed under its own post, before I came upon this dog fight.