"I don't like black people, do you?"

[Dominus]

Notice that the title is in quotation marks. Not my words.

I was at a tenant's house yesterday. Had one of my guys do some work there and thought I would check it out. I knew the husband was a Trump supporter. When we were signing the lease he couldn't shut up about how great Trump was. The wife and I had to tell him we don't care.

Anyway, while I was there he started telling me his encounters with black people. Then he said, and I quote, "I don't like black people, do you?"

I did not answer. Just ignored him. Why get into an argument with a rightwinger?

I knew the husband was a right wing nutjob. I tried to remain impartial when choosing tenants. Should I change this policy?

 

[opinterph]

Should I change this policy?

Is it okay to discriminate against people you don't like?

 

[ClubLevelVegan]

Well, I mean I would never let someone like that have a place at one of my vacancies in the first place because Racism is just something I don't tolerate. Besides that this individual will most definitely be a problem if you were to end up having a Black tenant if he is so openly racist.

 

[nycguydowntown]

I know a lot of business --including mine--are telling people to stay AWAY from politics on social media and with clients ---as we have a white nationalist president and it you are STUPID enough to say how wonderful he is--it doesn't come across well to 70% of the population who hate his guts. You are in a different situation and were smart to avoid any political conversation at all cost. I actually had a middle age woman client say to me---"You're not a trump supporter are you?"---I said, "no". Maybe I shouldn't have answered the question but I did. She said good because I wouldn't work with you if you were.

 

[belamyi]

Re: "I don't like black people, do you?"

He just recalled the black ones among all the people with whom he had had issues... because he already had one with blacks.

- - - Updated - - -

Is that so?

 

[rareboy]

You have to decide whether racism is something you tolerate and remain silent about.

But I likely would have spoken up and told them that I not only have no issue with people of other races or backgrounds ior sexuality, but that there is a zero tolerance policy for displaying racist symbols or political signage on the property (you should get that written in) and less than zero tolerance if tenants are found to be harassing any other tenants or workers on the property. (and you might get something about that written into your leases as well).

We have a preamble in our lease that makes it clear that our tenants are not to interfere in any way with the peace and enjoyment by other tenants or neighbours and that any complaint filed with the police about this will result in termination and eviction.

But generally I wouldn't get into a discussion with them.

Sounds like you rented to a first class asshole. He probably also has guns.

 

[NotHardUp1]

I would have had to say I disagree with him, and why, but without arguing.

"I've had problems with all kinds of people, but not just black people. I don't dislike anyone because of his nationality or race. We all should have a chance to be our best selves and to allow others to do the same."

If it's a policy, it's in writing. If it's just your feeling or inclination, it's not a policy.

Is it in writing in your lease, or are you reserving the right to discriminate on the basis of politics, religion, philosophy, or some other unprotected status?

 

[Cormac135]

He doesn't know what he's missing.

You really shouldn't have ignored his question.

 

[DepravedMuscleFTL]

I would have never ever rented to him in the first place - I would let him go homeless before I allowed a racist to live on my property - and I would have HUGE democrat political signs on my lawn at all times to keep the racist from even inquiring...

it is never ok to even suggest that a republican has any place in my life - I have a ZERO tolerance policy - ZERO

 

[purina]

I wish you would've said: "I love them! They're the best!", and seen where it went from there.

 

[Dominus]

You have to decide whether racism is something you tolerate and remain silent about.

But I likely would have spoken up and told them that I not only have no issue with people of other races or backgrounds ior sexuality, but that there is a zero tolerance policy for displaying racist symbols or political signage on the property (you should get that written in) and less than zero tolerance if tenants are found to be harassing any other tenants or workers on the property. (and you might get something about that written into your leases as well).

We have a preamble in our lease that makes it clear that our tenants are not to interfere in any way with the peace and enjoyment by other tenants or neighbours and that any complaint filed with the police about this will result in termination and eviction.

But generally I wouldn't get into a discussion with them.

Sounds like you rented to a first class asshole. He probably also has guns.

He was talking about their last rental. They had a few black neighbors.

Pure coincidence. All my properties are in white neighborhoods. He said he is much happier in their new place.

I really can't do much with his opinion. Fair housing laws here.

 

[NotHardUp1]

Pure coincidence. All my properties are in white neighborhoods.

Obviously the only possible explanation. Couldn't have anything to do with property values or neighborhoods or schools.

If you have one or two houses, that's plausible.

If you have a dozen, hard to accept on face value.

You many not have been intentional in the race of the neighborhood, but if you selected a lily white town, or consistently chose white neighborhoods, you probably had a subconscious bias that overlapped race.

That would not be a coincidence.

 

[NotHardUp1]

This isn't by way of accusation, or insinuation, but I was wondering yesterday how many of the social justice warriors embody their values in terms of race relations.

How many whites or blacks have the other race in their churches, immediate neighborhoods, lunch circles, clubs, hobby groups, dating pool, children's birthday parties, medical professionals, and inner social circles?

And if they are integrated, is the representation observably token in numbers?

I ask this because I've lived in four corners of this nation, and I've yet to see many people, even in progressive circles, do that in nearly as large of numbers as champion it. There's lots of talk about who is equal and who should be respected, but not much feet on the ground outside of marches, meetings, and political organizing.

That's not to say they are hypocritical in attitude, but the appearance of actually living the values is pretty thin. That doesn't make racial antagonists or haters the same or anything, but it doesn't do much to promote an integrated society when it's more words than living.

I guess I'm asking if it is too often like a healthy diet, or charity, or honesty -- something that is verbally supported more than in actuality in significant variance.

 

[peeonme]

I would answer that question with a question, such as "which black people are you speaking of?" then go on to tell him that their are individuals from all groups that I would rather not be around. I don't want to see anyone's underwear exposed 4 or 5 inches above the top of their trousers. I don't like obnoxious loud mouth drunks. I despise people that demand that you agree with them. If a person massacres the English language (beyond what is called American English) I don't care to be around them. If all they do is bitch about America rather than to objectively discuss it's short comings as well as it's attributes then I might love them as a person but dislike their words and actions.

Having a dream of people being judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin is a goal for people of all ethnic groups to keep in mind. To imply that all Trump supporters dislike blacks is as bad as thinking that all blacks fit a stereotype.

 

[swerve]

I tried to remain impartial when choosing tenants. Should I change this policy?

No.

Continue to remain impartial.

It's the law.

 

[Dominus]

No.

Continue to remain impartial.

It's the law.

Ya, violating fair housing is a serious offense.

 

[roadtripboy]

^What they said......

 

[Charon]

I did not answer. Just ignored him. Why get into an argument with a rightwinger?

Why get in an argument with anyone, tbh.

I'm indifferent when it comes to any form of discrimination. Personally, I think the human race as a whole is awful. Doesn't matter if you're white, black, male, female, gay, straight, transgender, or whatever.

 

[Rickrock]

As someone else said, It's the law to not discriminate. It was okay to avoid answering, but it would have also been okay to answer without arguing about it, however, depending on the person, if you answered that might not have been the end of it.

 

[rareboy]

I'm curious though.

What would you do if he came out and said he doesn't like fags?

Or 'orientals'?