By Lydia Hallay, October 10, 2023
By Lydia Hallay, October 10, 2023
I love helping clients achieve their dreams of home ownership. But the land I practice real estate on has a painful history. It was stolen from Indigenous communities through colonization and displacement. The history of real estate is riddled with systemic racism that has resulted in housing disparities in our communities. Acknowledging past (and current) oppression on the land we realtors work on is important. So is using our power and influence to actively contribute to just society and a more inclusive and equitable future.
Have you incorporated a land acknowledgment statement into your realtor profile or website? Land acknowledgements aren’t just symbolic. They’re a powerful step towards reconciliation and change. As realtors, we make a living helping folks buy and sell property. Thus, it’s important to recognize the history of racism (and sexism, homophobia, and transphobia) in this industry and pay tribute to the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land for centuries.
The Portland Metro area rests on the ancestral lands of the Cowlitz, Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, Tualatin Kalapuya, Wasco, Molalla, Watlala, Bands of the Chinook, and so many other nations who made this area their home. In addition to the federally recognized tribes mentioned, there are numerous “unrecognized” tribes and Indigenous groups whose stories are also important.
Acknowledging our failures and flaws (collectively and individually) opens the door for us to do better.
As realtors, we advocate for our clients all the time. We can also advocate for policies and initiatives that address housing disparities and promote equitable access to housing for all. Whether marching in the streets, engaging in conversation with our clients/peers, or in lobbying elected decision-makers- even small actions turn the wheels of justice ’round.
Providing direct support to organizations that serve and uplift historically marginalized/oppressed communities is one way we as Realtors can address injustice. In Portland, we’re fortunate to have organizations like Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) and Q Center (among many others) doing critical work to build more inclusive and equitable communities. I give a portion of every paycheck to Taking Ownership PDX and donate to organizations and mutual aid efforts in my community. I’m proud to hang my license at Living Room Realty, a Certified B-corp. The brokerage gives 5 percent of annual profits to local charities.
No one gets it right all the time. That’s okay. We can all try to do better- as professionals in our industry, as members of our communities, and as human beings trying not to be assholes in our short stint here. Self-reflection is essential- as is being willing to show up authentically (and politically) in our professional lives.
As a broker body, we have a responsibility to understand the racist history of our industry, including redlining policies, discriminatory lending practices, and the displacement of communities of color. There are lots of resources to learn from- like this great podcast about the history of racism and housing discrimination in Portland. We should know whose land we’re on. Here’s a great resource, if you’re not quite sure.
It can feel scary to advocate for progressive change in our communities, our cities, and our industry. Even though I’ve spent most of my adult life engaged in justice work, I still feel anxious putting posts like this out into the world. What if I get called out for not being radical enough? What if my words aren’t perfect? What if clients decide not to work with me? What if I lose followers on social media? What if my peers think I’m a joke?
As professionals in an industry very much rooted in exploitative capitalism, white supremacy, & colonialism, we as realtors can and should use our voices and privilege to support a more inclusive and equitable future. If a potential client doesn’t want to work with me because I’m vocal about those things- well, that’s okay. I’m not for everyone (and, they’re probably not for me).
Interested in talking more? I’d love to connect with other folks who are working towards positive change in our community. Reach out!