- Feb 2017
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www.yalelawjournal.org www.yalelawjournal.org
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innocuous
Definition: not harmful or inoffensive
The word "innocuous" describes how a one-way street, a street signs, or a bridge- at first glance seem normal and harmless. But they in fact promote a systematic social inequality, because the objects are concrete and steel monuments; they can control and constrain behavior. This overtime effects the culture of the society.
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Why have the Court, judges, and lawmakers—the entities usually tasked with crafting and enforcing antidiscrimination law—failed to find fault with these sorts of physical acts of exclusion? The most straightforward reason is that it is difficult to show the necessary intent to discriminate, especially in situations involving land use and the built environment.15
I don't think that it is difficult to show discrimination in built environments. All you have to do is look at a map or a census, and the facts are there. If this were true, then why are their hoods & projects? Those places are predominantly black/minority and low-income. They are built and designed to "help" the less fortunate, but you would never see a tax-credit or low-income housing right next to an area with good school system or nice houses. The government has created this system, maybe not on purpose, but the interpretation and application of the laws and practices have us divided and will continue to divide us if we don't spread awareness.
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Wealthy, mostly white residents of the northern Atlanta suburbs have vocally opposed efforts to expand MARTA into their neighborhoods for the reason that doing so would give people of color easy access to suburban communities.7
Is this current? I know that there has been talk about expanding MARTA, but I am a little surprised that this really a concern in Atlanta. Compared to other major cities, Atlanta's public transportation is very limited. So forget about expanding to farther neighborhoods, what about just expanding within the city first?
In an article called, “Atlanta’s MARTA Expansion: An 8 Billion Dollar Step in the Right Direction” by Elizabeth Davies takes a different approach and recognizes the benefits of the expansion. It discusses how Atlanta’s city center is flourishing with a migration of white residents. The minorities and people of low income are leaving to get away from the expensive living and high taxes. Now, because of the displacement of families into suburbs they no longer have access to inner-city developments and transportation. This all leads to income discrepancies.
Although, Elizabeth Davies takes a different view of the MARTA expansion, the article agrees and supports the fact that it is an issue. One that mostly effects black people and lower-income households.
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I. architectural exclusion: theory
Summary of "Trying to appear "not too black" on Airbnb is exhausting," by Norrinda Brown Hayat. In the article she discusses her personal accounts and those of others who have faced discrimination from host when trying to book reservations on Airbnb. There has been complaints of manipulation by the host of various residences on Airbnb. Airbnb has since released new policies on anti-discrimination. The company also plans to combat the issue by implementing a feature that will help prevent host from having the ability to pick and choose who they can rent to.
Airbnb has more listing than the Marriot; which is the most well-known hotel chain around the world. There was a study done by professors at Harvard business school that state, "requests from guests with distinctively African-American names are roughly 16% less likely to be accepted than identical guests with distinctively White names," Hayat mentions having to drop indicators, like her occupation, or her level of education in order to come across as a "suitable" candidate. She also mentions a lawsuit that was filed, Selden v. Airbnb. The host rejected the first application and then after changing the application to appear more white, he was then accepted. Airbnb says that they do not condone, racism, harassment, bigotry, or hatred.
Hayat goes on to say that despite Airbnb's efforts, people will always find a way to discriminate. She states that is not their fault and that the real issue is racism. The article states that if Airbnb cannot control their host and control the discrimination against blacks then people will be forced to do without. There is always the Marriot, although Airbnb has more listing than the Marriot. It is the most well-known hotel chain around the world and they provide equal treatment.
Hayat, Norrinda Brown. "Trying to appear "not too black" on Airbnb." CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/12/opinions/too-black-rent-airbnb-hayat/
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