Race and Economic Justice | American Civil Liberties Union

Question 1

What is the racial wealth gap?

Accepted Answer

The economic position of Black Americans relative to white Americans over the years remains precarious at best. Over 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, descendants of enslaved people own just 1 percent of the nation’s total wealth. Even emancipation, civil rights, increases to education, and improved employment have not substantially advanced Black people’s democratic participation in our economic system. Furthermore, the 2008 financial crisis, which resulted from targeted discrimination and then the financialization of that discrimination, wiped out 53 percent of Black wealth, compared to 16 percent of white wealth, permanently devastating Black communities.

Question 2

What does “fair housing” mean?

Accepted Answer

Historic and ongoing segregation and housing discrimination in our country have prevented Black people and other people of color, women, LGBTQ people, families with children, people with disabilities, immigrants, and many more from living in affordable housing in communities that offer greater opportunity. Housing is a basic human right, and equal access to housing is a civil right guaranteed under our laws.

Question 3

How are Black communities disproportionately impacted by housing discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Racial inequality is at the root of and continues to perpetuate housing injustice across communities. Criminal records screening disproportionately harms people of color, especially Black renters, including because of stark racial disparities that exist in the United States legal system due to over-policing and systemic bias. Black women face much higher rates of eviction than others, and the scarlet “E” on their records locks them out of better housing — along with the better schools and jobs that often accompany it. White people remain much more likely than their Black peers to be homeowners, even after accounting for factors like location and education.

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