racial covenants
Racial covenants were clauses in property deeds or housing contracts that prohibited the sale, rental, or occupation of homes to people of specific races or ethnicities, particularly targeting Black individuals and other minorities. These covenants emerged in the early 20th century, reinforcing segregation and discrimination in housing. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled them unenforceable in 1948, their legacy contributed to long-lasting disparities in wealth, homeownership, and community resources along racial lines. Understanding racial covenants is crucial for recognizing the systemic inequalities that persist in housing today.
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Racial covenants were legally binding clauses included in property deeds and real estate agreements in the early to mid-20th century. They prohibited the sale, lease, or occupancy of homes to individuals based on race, ethnicity, or religion, primarily targeting Black families and other minorities. These restrictions aimed to maintain racially segregated neighborhoods and were enforced until the mid-1900s. Although the Supreme Court declared such covenants unenforceable in 1948 and they were made illegal by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, their legacy has contributed to ongoing patterns of segregation and inequality in housing.