An open letter to fellow agents and those associated with the Real Estate Industry.
Today marks the celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a fact that I am sure that is not lost on any of you. As we take the time to celebrate the dream of Dr. King today and rededicate ourselves and our country to the principles, I ask that we as an industry do the same by correcting a wrong that has been committed and carried on with little to no thought of consciousness on the behalf of those that perpetuate this "tradition".
What is this "wrong" that needs correcting you may ask?
Using the term Master to describe the largest bedroom of the property.
2010 marks the 147th year since the Emancipation Proclamation, yet the industry clings to the terminology and traditions of a pre-civil war plantation. At the root of the term "Master Bedroom" is a history of oppression, cruelty and un-equality. All actions that Dr. King dreamed would one day be things of the past. Yet the industry continues to use this term over and over and over again.
As an industry, we still have the scars of un-equality burned into our skin like a tattoo in the shape of the fair housing logo that we are required to show and display like a large "A", highlighting the industries past transgressions. Steering as a practice is in the industries not so distance past, yet I hope and pray that it is in the past. Recent reports and post mortem of the recent mortgage crisis have brought to light very recent cases of predatory lending practices being implemented as unwritten policy against those with a darker skin tone or a accent. The industry needs to be vigilant and committed to the principles of equality espoused by Dr. King. As we do so, we need to protect ourselves from practices that run counter to the dream.
Living in Virginia, I do not have to drive very far to Mount Vernon or Monticello to see examples of large houses that served as the main house, surround by smaller, less appealing quarters that served as shelter for the help. Many times these areas we also home to the main cooking area, causing the areas to be brutally warm in the summer months. Truly, less than ideal living situation to say the least. Yet, when the term "Master Bedroom" is used, it calls back to this arrangement.
2010 is the time to consciously think about the terms that we use. It may be something that you have never thought of and just used because everyone else was using it. Now is the time to bring attention and consciousness to the term and request that it be removed from the industries vocabulary.
What you can do to help!
- Remove this term from your own vocabulary. (it may take some conscious focus and work, but you can do it.
- Post a positive comment to this posting.
- Forward this along to a friend or industry partner.
- retweet about this.
- Ask your board to remove the term from any forms.
- Ask you MLS to remove the term from its database and postings.
Many times, the only way that dreams become reality is through the action of a committed person. Dr. King proved this and in the spirit of his legacy, I ask you to join in doing the same.
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