Natwerk Designs

A question to liberals: Do you believe in freedom of association? Part 2?

***Standard Disclaimer*** I am not a republican. Now take a deep breath. This is not a trick question. Try not to accuse me of being a republican or talk about how Bush raped 10 boy scouts. Just answer the question. ***** Note that I am aware of current laws. Which one of the following scenarios do you think is immoral and/or should be illegal in your ideal world and why. A white man decides to rent out a room in his large house. He interviews several potential room mates, and chooses the only white applicant because he is only comfortable living with other white people because he believes it is safer that way. The same white man decides to rent out four more rooms in his large house, and after interviewing several applicants he again chooses only white men for the same reason. The man decides to turn his large house into a boarding house once again he chooses only white tenants. A woman decides to rent out a room in her large house. She interviews several potential room mates, and chooses the only female applicant because even though she doesn't share the same bathroom she believes it is unsafe for a woman to live in a house with a man that she doesn't know very well The same woman decides to rent out four more rooms in her large house, and after interviewing several applicants she again chooses only female applicants for the same reason. The woman decides to turn her large house into a boarding house for women only. She open advertises that only women are allowed to rent there.

Public Comments

1. Hmmm....I'll try to take this seriously (as a liberal). The race selection may be an issue because of the Civil Rights Act. While choosing a roomate of whatever you feel comfortable with does not violate the act, by turning your place into a boarding house means you are now involved in commerce. I'm not aware of gender, however. The woman may be fine, as there is more justification to separate genders in a living quarters than race, due to the proximity of rooms. Personally I would avoid doing either.
2. Neither are illegal, and frankly, neither are immoral. The person who owns the property gets to choose who lives there - it's only when you apply to be a part of your local rental association that you must make an effort not to discriminate.
3. Sure.
4. lets see here "boarding house for white men only" sounds pretty racist "boarding house for women" sounds like a safe place for women who have been abused or raped.
5. Well, from what I've studied if he is renting rooms with a communal style of living, he is allowed to choose whomever he is most comfortable with, it is not considered a business. If it is non-communal apartment type homesetting (seperate baths/kitch) then it is considered a business and he must adhere to the laws.
6. well, in theory it's all fine and well... the only problem is... white people dominate upper business circles and before any affirmative action laws... white people magically got the vast majority of the upper level jobs... it seems that freedom of association often ends up in institutional racism... in actual action... I dont' even know if people are really that aware of it... what happens when you leave every free to do what they want, and black has little to no opportinuty? just "oh well, life isn't far, boo hoo I don't care"? you tell me?
7. Neither. Personally, what one person does in their own home is their own business. It is no real shocker that people feel more comfortable with people who are similar to they are (whether that is based on sex, race, religion etc). You added the "trick" part by saying the white man doesn't feel safe with essentially a minority and that's fine, in fact it is a reality of life, the problem only arises when that white man takes his beliefs outside of his front door and is outraged or upset when 'coloured' people move in next door, or when he believes the black people he didn't rent to are lesser individuals because of their colour. You are trying to politicize the issue by posing this question to liberals. Why, what does that accomplish? To answer your question neither is illegal because the white man does not say he will only rent to whites he just chooses to do so. In the case of the woman's home, sure it is more a case of sex discrimination but women have the right to be safe in their own home. If some male feels discriminated against he can try to press charges but he would lose his time and money.