Another agent in my office came across this in a title report and I had to share it.

 It isn't unusual for neighborhoods or housing developments to have covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&R's) similar to condominium complexes.  Many of them state that there is a fee for common features like maintenance of a park or bike path.  They usually specify that the house needs to be maintained to a certain standard and that you can't park an RV in the front yard yadda, yadda, yadda.  All very common items.  But this, I was not ready for.  

When CC&R's are recorded for a neighborhood they are also recorded on title.  If the property does not change hands for many years those restrictions are often not updated.   The following, dated April of 1941, was included on a recent title report under the CC&R's:

"No person of any race other then the White or Caucasian race shall use or occupy any building or any lot, except that this covenant shall not prevent occupancy by domestic servants of a different race domiciled with an owner or tenant. "

Thankfully the agent read the title report and had the offensive paragraph removed.   While such restrictions are now illegal, they were quite common in yester year.  I guess you can look at this one of two ways.  You can be shocked, horrified, saddened or even guilty. 

OR (as I choose to look at it)

You can be glad that we have come out of that era.  Granted, we haven't come as far as we could, but still, I think we are better off then 1941 as far as race relations in this country.  A black man is leading in the polls to become the first black president after all.  (and yes I said "black man".  For those of you that prefer African American feel free to insert your term of choice.  I choose to say "black" because my "black" friends prefer the term "black".  I mean no disrespect.)

Who knows what another 67 years will bring us.  Just think the 40's are nearly half way between us and the Civil War.  In another 67 years who knows what we might see.  We might even have an all gay republican ticket.  (and yes I said "gay" because my "gay" friends prefer the term "gay".  I mean no disrespect)   In 67 more years, perish the thought, we might actually start referring to individuals and not even refer to their race, creed, sexual orientation, etc.  and not have to apologize in parenthesis for using the term black or gay. 

Dare to dream.