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The push to remove racist language from home deeds

Including racist restrictions in home deeds was a requirement to get federal housing loans, which were used to develop many American suburbs.

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"A lot of these contained a proviso that said you could have a Black person living there, but only if they were a servant for a white owner," says writer Jon Morgan.
"A lot of these contained a proviso that said you could have a Black person living there, but only if they were a servant for a white owner," says writer Jon Morgan.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Maryland homeowners are finding racist restrictions still written into their property deeds. These provisions were created in order to prevent a Black person from ever owning the home, only allowing people of color to live there as domestic servants. The language isn’t enforceable, and hasn’t been for decades, but it’s still present in home deeds all over the United States.

“Marketplace” host Amy Scott spoke to writer Jon Morgan about his reporting in the Baltimore Banner on how housing discrimination persists in the fine print.

To hear their conversation, use the audio player above.

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