4 ms·

I grew up with an HOA and we'd always get letters about the halloween decorations (I've always done it big, ever since I was a kid) that alone made me anti HOA

I grew up with an HOA and we'd always get letters about the halloween decorations (I've always done it big, ever since I was a kid) that alone made me anti HOA my whole life. Obviously not to mention how the goal of many HOAs just below the surface is to keep their neighborhood as white as possible.

yona 5y ago
I see this mentioned a lot but you know what? One of the best lawns in my neighborhood is owned by an African American family. Impeccable. The worst lawns are owned by white folks. Doesn’t this comment assume that “only white people mow their grass?” We’ve had issues with our HOA, and I wish they weren’t necessary, but some people won’t take care of their lawns unless they’re threatened with fines. Otherwise, they’ll let the jungle grow in their yards, and leave a couch by the sidewalk. On the topic of race, homeownership, I’ve heard, is usually one main way in which a family can build wealth; if we’re concerned (as we should be) about racial inequality (financial inequality being a sub portion of it), any self-governance that encourages homes to be well-maintained, lawns to be kept, trees and bushes trimmed, and junk vehicles not parked in the yard is a benefit to any family’s net worth, since a main concern of an HOA is preservation of property values. Real Estate is a supply/demand game. The nicer your home and neighborhood look, the higher the market value, which is of upmost concern if homeowner is trying to increase wealth.
mikem170 5y ago
> keep their neighborhood as white as possible I know that these same mechanisms were used to keep out minorities in the past. But I'd say now that they are more about forcing conformity to stereotypical average white middle class appearances than against minorities per say. Variety is not tolerated. It is ok to be a minority, as long as you don't ever act like one. I personally think that's oppressive, even scary, and not good for the culture over the long term. But some people are into that.

yona 5y ago

I see this mentioned a lot but you know what? One of the best lawns in my neighborhood is owned by an African American family. Impeccable. The worst lawns are owned by white folks. Doesn’t this comment assume that “only white people mow their grass?” We’ve had issues with our HOA, and I wish they weren’t necessary, but some people won’t take care of their lawns unless they’re threatened with fines. Otherwise, they’ll let the jungle grow in their yards, and leave a couch by the sidewalk. On the topic of race, homeownership, I’ve heard, is usually one main way in which a family can build wealth; if we’re concerned (as we should be) about racial inequality (financial inequality being a sub portion of it), any self-governance that encourages homes to be well-maintained, lawns to be kept, trees and bushes trimmed, and junk vehicles not parked in the yard is a benefit to any family’s net worth, since a main concern of an HOA is preservation of property values. Real Estate is a supply/demand game. The nicer your home and neighborhood look, the higher the market value, which is of upmost concern if homeowner is trying to increase wealth.

mikem170 5y ago

> keep their neighborhood as white as possible I know that these same mechanisms were used to keep out minorities in the past. But I'd say now that they are more about forcing conformity to stereotypical average white middle class appearances than against minorities per say. Variety is not tolerated. It is ok to be a minority, as long as you don't ever act like one. I personally think that's oppressive, even scary, and not good for the culture over the long term. But some people are into that.