To the editor:
To the Senate Committee on Ways and Means:
On behalf of the Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination, we are writing to express our support for, and to urge passage of, Senate bill S1080. The bill is currently pending before your committee for fiscal and policy review. This bill is designed to eliminate language still existing in some deeds that manifests past discriminatory intent to prohibit the sale of property or use of land to certain groups based on race, ethnicity or religion.
These so-called restrictive covenants enforced patterns of racial segregation, and while they have been held to be void and no longer enforceable, they still appear in some deeds. A study by Harborlight Homes, a regional community development corporation found some 500 deeds with racially discriminatory language in Southern Essex County.
By its very presence, such language is harmful as it preserves the vestiges of past discrimination.
The mission of the Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination is to be aware of, and attempt to address, incidents of discrimination in our town and to prevent exclusionary policies, practices and discrimination in all its forms. This includes support for Fair Housing initiatives.
The pending Senate Bill S1080 would require a review of deeds for any such restrictive language and require that it be stricken. It also provides a mechanism for homeowners to remove discriminatory language present in their deeds.
The Task Force supports these initiatives and views the bill’s measures to remove and address discriminatory clauses as a significant step to acknowledging past harm, and supporting more diverse, welcoming and inclusionary communities. This is a public policy initiative worthy of our attention because it recognizes the harm of past discriminatory sales and land use practices and signifies the intent to disavow and eliminate any tolerance for exclusionary policies and practices. We urge the members of this committee to pass the important legislation.
Very truly yours,
Helaine Hazlett, co-chair Marblehead TFAD
Diane Gora, co-Chair Marblehead TFAD
