University of Virginia Library

Two Young Women Students Search
For Non—Discriminatory Landlord

"I want you to know that I am
a conservative. I went all out for
the Republican candidates for city
council. How do you feel about
that?"

Be careful, I say to myself. I
murmur out loud something that I
hope is noncommittal. She presses
the point but the results are
disappointing. She turns to more
personal concerns.

"Where are you from;"

"Buffalo, N.Y. My roommate is
from Louisiana."

"Do you two agree in almost
everything?"

"Why, yes," say I, unaware of
the curve, thinking that was an odd
question but understanding why
she wouldn't want people having
pitched battles in her apartments.

"How about fair housing? Do
you agree about that?" Okay. Now
it's out. I catch on and decide to be
cagey. She is going to have to work
for her information.

"Yes, we agree."

"Well, how do you feel about
it? Did you sign the fair housing
list?"

I'm trapped now, so I keep the
answer simple. "Yes." I can tell I'm
getting mad, because my voice is
getting shaky.

"I should tell you that I don't
like hippies or people with beards
in my apartments. I run a good
place," she adds.

That strikes me as funny. "I
don't have a beard," I reply.

"Well, no. I didn't think you
did, but I don't like anybody
strange in my apartments -
foreigners or anything like that."

I retreat as hastily as I can,
"Thank you, Mrs. Christian. I'll talk
this over with my roommate and
call you back if things should work
out."

The evidence seems clear by this
time, but I really do want that
apartment, so I make one last
effort. I call up one of her tenants.
He is a student, very nice, a
McCarthy supporter, so he can't be
all bad. He is very sympathetic.

"How does Mr. Christian feel
about black visitors?"

"Well, when I signed my lease
she said, 'Of course, I do hope you
aren't planning to entertain any
Negroes or Hindus."

We picked up the pieces and
resolutely began to nose around for
a third apartment. Would you
believe? Same deal? It's true.

Our sage did have a happy
ending. We found an apartment
building where the manager had a
Good Neighbor Pledge sign on-the
door. That's it, we said. And we
love the place.

This story also has a moral.
(Thought you were going to get
away without one, didn't you?
Never!) It is: If such adventures
happen to you, if someone refuses
to rent you an apartment because
you are Negro or because you
might have Negro guests, don't take
the easy way out. Speak up to the
landlord. Tell him how you feel -
nicely, of course. If he remains
adamant, report him to the Housing
Office. The University has spoken
out clearly and strongly on this
issue. (See the accompanying
letter.) They will support you, and
they will take action.