question archive This case has to do with civil rights
Subject:LawPrice:2.86 Bought3
This case has to do with civil rights. A North Carolina man was charged for violating Fair Housing Act and threating a family because of their race. The Fair Housing Act was amended in 1988, it is "the federal law enacted in 1968 that prohibits discrimination in the purchase, sale, rental or financing of housing- private or public- based on race, skin color, sex, nationality, or religion." On August 6, 2020, Douglas Matthew Gurkins, pleaded guilty to interference with the Fair Housing Act. At his hearing, he admitted that he drove to the home of an African American family and started saying racial slurs towards the family. He also told them they did not belong in their home and threatened to shoot them. That included their four minor children and anyone who were to step a foot on the property. After this incident the family moved out a few days later. Within four years, Gurkins, engaged in similar conduct towards two other African American families living in the same neighborhood. He was sentenced 28 months in prison and followed by three years supervised release. He was giving these consequences for using threats of force against the family because of their race and they were renting a place. The assistant attorney general for civil rights, Eric Dreiband said "part of what makes the United States free is the guarantee that we can live anywhere is this country without regard to the color of our skin and without murderous threats directed at us and our children." He also emphasizes that anyone who interferes with any family housing rights will be prosecuted. My opinion in this case is this person is racist towards African Americans, due to his behavior and had done it to three families. I do not understand the reasoning behind his actions and driving to threaten the family. I don't think 28 months is enough time to be in prison because he did threaten the family and because of the fear he instilled in them they moved, which is very unfair. But he still going to be watched after being released
''Let me respond by asking you this: Do you honestly think anyone would admit to discriminating against someone based on their race? Save for some outlier whose extreme views preclude any sense of propriety, no one would admit to something that is not only against the law, but also violates accepted ethical standards.
What happens to People of Color is far more nuanced than the shout of some epithet. It happens when the ambient temperature inside the dwelling drops when a Person of Color is being shown around. It happens when suggestions for alternative neighborhoods do not reflect a step up in quality of life. It results in interminable delays for approvals, causing applicants to look elsewhere.
Racial discrimination in housing is alive and well in the current sociopolitical climate. And for the time being, the justice system seems wholly disinterested. At this juncture, it is illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing, including against individuals seeking a mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities. The Fair Housing Act prohibits this discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.''