PROPERTY IS POWER! How the Strom Thurmond Amendment negatively impacts Black homeownership

The journey toward homeownership is fraught with challenges for many, but for Black Americans, systemic barriers often make the dream of owning property feel like an unattainable goal. One such barrier, rooted in outdated legislation, continues to impact Black communities disproportionately the 1988 housing amendment introduced by Strom Thurmond as part of the “tough on crime” era, this amendment excludes individuals with a drug distribution conviction from fair housing protections for life, creating an unjust ripple effect that hinders generational wealth building through property ownership. The amendment allows housing providers to deny rental or homeownership applications based solely on a decades old drug conviction, irrespective of the substance or quantity, time elapsed, evidence of rehabilitation, etcetera. While this policy might seem aimed at reducing crime, its real-world impact has been devastating for communities of color. Take Wisconsin as an example: Black residents make up only 6 percent of the population but represent a staggering 56 percent of those stripped of their fair housing protections under this law. This disparity reflects how policies framed as neutral often mask deeply rooted racial inequities. At the heart of every movement for justice is a story, a lived experience that fuels the passion for...