Greater Baltimore Community Housing Resource Board, Inc. (GBCHRB) September-October, 2001 / Vol. 7, No. 5

FAIR HOUSING NEWS - A newsletter about fair housing, community development, and neighborhood quality of life

GREETINGS!
Contact us for a free copy of any mentioned article, a free subscription to Fair Housing News, to suggest a topic, or to post a notice in Fair Housing News: 410-453-9500 / 800-895-6302 / mail@gbchrb.org. More info, resources, & links are at our web site: http://www.gbchrb.org.

IN THE NEWS

Troubled U. N. Conference on Racism a "Partial Success." It was the first time a world-wide gathering admitted the existence of the problem of racism and the "pernicious legacy" of slavery. The final statement condemned modern slavery as a "crime against humanity," as well as expressed concern for migrants' rights, indigenous people, and Afro-Latinos; it also called on all nations to establish commissions to protect minority rights with the U. N. monitoring. Several regional issues (e.g., racial discrimination in the U. S. judicial system in the death penalty), were dropped because of time consumed - finally ending when Israel and the U. S. walked out protesting proposals by Arab states condemning Israel as a racist state. Tense delegates loudly applauded when the slavery condemnation was announced. "This topic will be on the world stage, and the fight will continue," said a Sierra Leone delegate. (Washington Post, September 9, 2001:A20; Baltimore Sun, September 9, 2001:16A)

The September 11th Terrorist Attacks on New York and Washington Have Stirred Racist Rhetoric, Discrimination, and Debates Over Rights. The U. S. Commission on Civil Rights Urged Arab- and Muslim-Americans to Report Instances of Harassment & Bigotry. Numerous incidents have occurred. For example, Arizona police are investigating whether a September 15th murder in Mesa was motivated by the attacks. A wide range of rights advocates from conservative Paul Weyrich, the ACLU, and the libertarian Cato Institute have urged Congress and the White House not to impinge on citizen rights. However, most observers expect some erosion in civil liberties. (Baltimore Sun, September 14, 2001:sunspot.net; National Fair Housing Advocate online, www.fairhousing.com)

U. S. Supreme Court to Decide ADA Case on the Definition of Disability. On November 7, 2001, the Court will hear oral arguments in Toyota Manufacturing Kentucky Inc. v. Williams, a case involving disputation over who exactly is and is not protected by the ADA. The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law's amicus brief on the case - which could have significant impact on disability rights - is available at: www.bazelon.org/williams.html. (See their website for additional information.)

Genetic Bias Protection Now Part of Montgomery County's Human Rights Law. Genetic discrimination - prohibiting employers from hiring, firing, or other personnel actions based on a person's genetic makeup - is now included as a discrimination basis, along with sex, race, sexual orientation, and the others. The ban took effect on August 13th, and was the first real revision of the County's anti-discrimination statute since 1962. (Baltimore Sun, August 14, 2001:2B)

Dedication to be in October of the Affordable Housing Ordered by the Momentous Mount Laurel Court Decision. The Mount Laurel rulings, one in 1975 and the second in 1983, led to the state's Fair Housing Act in 1985, which requires communities throughout the state to provide low- and moderate-income housing. The Ethel R. Lawrence Homes - named after the woman who brought the original lawsuit - will be completed in 2002 and have 140 units. So far, 50 families live there. About 80 of the units are earmarked for low- and moderate-income families, who will pay $147 to $522 a month plus utilities. The others will be rented at market prices. Julian Bond, NAACP National Chairman, will be the speaker at the dedication. (National Fair Housing Advocate online, www.fairhousing.com)

The Brookings Institution Releases Study of Metro Housing Movement & Public Policy. Entitled "Moving Up, Filtering Down: Metropolitan Housing Dynamics and Public Policy," the study (released in September, 2001) looks at the cycle of housing movement in metros, the role of public policy, and the effect on urban core communities. As households and businesses are successful and move, real estate changes affect the old and new locations. Included in the study are policy alternatives for improving metro growth and strengthening urban neighborhoods. The full Brookings report is available in PDF format online atwww.brook.edu/es/urban/publications/bierexsum.htm.

The NYC "Asian Americans for Equality" Organization is a Model for Expanding Asian American Homeownership. AAFE utilizes outreach methods, including housing fairs, neighborhood publications; education & counseling in many languages and settings; gets housing subsidies and develops affordable housing; and educates lenders about Asian's employment and credit practices. (Housing Policy Debate, vol. 12, no. 1, 2001:47-75)

The GBCHRB Continues State-Wide Fair Housing Education Campaign. Funded by the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development & targeted at the Eastern Shore as well as southern & western Maryland, the campaign includes distribution of free Fair Housing brochures, self-help guides, posters, and other information; curriculum development; training; and advocacy. Please contact us at 410-453-9500 / 800-895-6302 for free Fair Housing informational materials, information, and training. Let's work together!

FAIR HOUSING RESOURCES

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has an Excellent Website:www.bazelon.org. The site has breaking news, legislative alerts, publications, and various issues discussions/guides (Fair Housing, Children, Mental Health, etc.).
Another Excellent Website is the Maryland Commission for Women:www.dhr.state.md.us/mcw. It has a calendar, resource directory, a list of pending legislation available during the Session, and various publications in PDF format.
TV Worth Watching!?! Local! Community, Improvements, Housing, Neighborhoods, Living, People, Rights! The GBCHRB's Neighborhood Beat is on various cable-TV stations. The 30-minute interview show runs on Channel 5 in Baltimore City, 99 in Anne Arundel County, 71 in Baltimore County, 3 in Carroll, and 3 & 7 in Harford! Call us at 410-453-9500 or the stations for days and times!

INTERESTING BOOKS

Still the Big News: Racial Oppression in America. Bob Blauner, Temple University, 2001. Rev. 288 pp. $22.95 pbk. Blauner argues that race and racism still permeate every aspect of the American experience today. Blauner's concept of internal colonialism dates from the 1960s, a period in which many Americans worried that racial conflicts would propel the country into another civil war. The notion that the systematic oppression of people of color in the United States resembles the situation of colonized populations in Third World countries still informs much of the academic research on race as well as public discourse. Today's critical race and whiteness studies are indebted to Blauner's work on internal colonialism and the pervasiveness of white privilege. Blauner argues that we ignore the persistence of oppression and our continuing failure to achieve equality "at our own peril." (Amazon.com)

Welfare Racism: Playing the Race Card Against America's Poor. Kenneth J. Neubeck & Noel A. Cazenave, Routledge, 2001. 288 pp. $19.95 pbk. Arguing that "racism shapes public assistance policies and practices," the authors review the role of racism in welfare public policy. They find that race-based attitudes, policy making, and policies have long had a negative impact on public assistance programs. They identify the 1996 abolition of Aid to Families with Dependent Children and the subsequent welfare-to-work program as a "race-control function."

CALENDAR

October 5th Dinner Dance & Silent Auction to Benefit Earl's Place Transitional Housing Program. Entitled "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" the event will be held at the Belvedere Hotel from 7-11 pm. Tickers are $50. Info: United Ministries, 410-522-0225.

The Interfaith Dialogue of the Baltimore Jewish Council Examines Christian, Muslim, & Jewish Perspectives on Religious Extremism on October 11th. The meeting will be held from 12-2 pm at 5750 Park Heights Avenue. Reservations are required. Information: 410-542-4850.

CPHA's Citizen Action Workshops for Fall, 2001, are on October 13th. The all-day workshops feature regionalism issues, housing, transportation, neighborhood marketing & organizing. Info: 410-539-1369.

The "Baltimore Zoning Reform: Conference on Comprehensive Rezoning" will be Held on October 25th from 8 am-3 pm. The conference, to be held at the University of Maryland School of Nursing Auditorium, stems from the work of the American Institute of Architects' work with the Baltimore City Department of Planning. Info: 410-625-2585.

The Community Assistance Network's 2nd Annual "Together, We Make a Difference" Breakfast will be on November 16th. Held from 8-10 am at the Sheraton Baltimore North in Towson, the event's program topic is "Workforce Development - Facing the Challenges Now and Beyond." Info: 410-285-4674.

The Baltimore County League of Women Voters is Presenting a Lecture Series on Contemporary Issues. Upcoming are Ted Venetoulis on politics & the media on October 29th, and D. A. Henderson on Bioterrorism on November 26th. The series will be held at the Sheppard Pratt Conference Center from 6-7:15 pm. Info: 410-464-1902.

REST IN PEACE

The Reverend Sidney Daniels, Civil Rights Advocate, 78. From his Emmanuel Church pulpit, Rev. Daniels strongly advocated for his Lafayette Square & Harlem Park neighborhoods and was a powerful activist fighting injustice. A founder of BUILD, Rev. Daniels fought against discrimination in the police department, and worked against employment discrimination in the banking industry. He was very active in various other interfaith efforts, including being president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and a member of the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council. (Baltimore Sun, Aug. 29, 2001:5B)

Jim Drake, Key Aide to Cesar Chavez & Advocate, 63. An ordained minister, Drake was working for the California Migrant Ministries when he began helping Chavez organize workers. Drake also founded the Mississippi Pulpwood Cutters Association and the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, working to provide affordable housing, improve schools, and organize immigrants to protect their civil rights. (Washington Post, September 9, 2001:C08)

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