Jan. 15, 2025
Are you looking for a tangible way to improve equity in Washtenaw County? Then please join Justice InDeed for a virtual collaborative session to identify and transcribe racially restrictive covenants on home deeds in the local area.
Justice InDeed is a collaborative group of researchers, students, residents, and community activists dedicated to exposing and responding to housing inequity in Washtenaw County.
What are racially restrictive covenants?
Racially restrictive covenants are part of a home’s deed that prohibits people of certain races from buying and occupying property. Through these covenants, People of Color are prevented from living in certain areas of the local community, causing segregation and economic inequality. Explore examples of restrictive language Justice in Deed has found in Washtenaw County documents here (link).
Despite the fact that they are not enforceable today, racially restrictive covenants remain on home deeds as repugnant reminders of the blatant racism that characterizes American housing practices and continues into the present day. Justice InDeed believes that it is critical to take action to address racially restrictive covenants because:
- The covenants cause real harm now, such as when homebuyers read closing closing documents that contain such language.
- Education about racism begins at home.
- When setting housing policy today, it is critical to know the history of housing discrimination in Ann Arbor.
We need your help to get to the finish line by May 2025!
Justice InDeed and its community of volunteers are working to transcribe nearly 10,000 deeds. Currently, nearly 60% are transcribed.
Ginsberg is hosting virtual transcription sessions led by Justice InDeed that will take place every two weeks beginning on Jan. 15 through April 2025. During the sessions, you will learn a bit about local history and then learn how to collaborate to build a database and map for affected properties all over the county, helping us better reckon with our complete history. No experience is necessary.