Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see DMV?
There are no wrong answers, but for some of us just the thought of the DMV sends chills down our spine, particularly if you have ever had to wait in long DMV lines. But for others, like new drivers, there’s a palpable sense of excitement, anticipation, and perhaps – dare I say – even joy.
The starting point:
Words can alienate or advocate
In various classes that I teach on advocating – not alienating – for fair housing, I mention the DMV along with a few other seemingly random phrases that elicit strong reactions in learners intentionally.
Why?
The words we use may evoke emotions that can instantly create camaraderie or be so off-putting that it alienates those with whom we hope to work.
One such term is DEI (which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion). It has been re-termed to positive monikers like “DEFINITELY earned it” and also negative nicknames like “DIDN’T earn it”.
Frankly, neither of these unofficial taglines speak to the mission of this phraseology in real estate and fair housing, which is to provide access and opportunity to everyone, whether client or colleague.
Fair housing is not about earning it or being worthy of it. Fair housing is simply – to borrow from Constitutional language – an inalienable right. To codify this housing right, not only do we have the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 but we have several federal amendments and executive orders as well as state and local laws that insulate over 19 protected classes in various parts of the U.S., which include:
- Race
- Color
- Sex
- Familial status
- National origin
- Disability (this has evolved to “a person that uses an assistive device”)
- Religion
- Age
- Ancestry
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Marital status
- Military status
- Domestic violence victims
- Source of…