This week, in the context of Black History Month, we asked readers if they ever felt discriminated against when applying for a job or an apartment.

“Oh yes, I have been discriminated against for a job and an apartment because I had six children, and they wouldn’t give me the apartment because they said I had too many kids. And when I went for a job at the bank, I passed the exam but when I got the interview, she told me because I’d never done a cash out,  they didn’t hire me, and I felt kind of bad, and I did cry because I was excited I passed the test.”

Malika Smith,

Parkchester

“I don’t think it was explicit, but I do think there was some implicit bias. I openly identify as part of the LGBTQA+ community and often, I list my pronouns on my resume, and I have had employers question why I’ve done that in the past. I think that we’ve come a long way, but I do think it’s important to continue the work that’s been started to protect protected classes. There’s never enough work done to protect certain people.”

Nicholas Stanton,

Castle Hill

“When it comes to work, I’ve had the pleasure of not feeling discriminated against at all. I’ve worked about eight to ten, maybe twelve jobs and not once can I honestly say I felt discriminated against. But when it comes to finding an apartment, I’m actually looking for a new place to stay right now, I’ve never had to apply for an apartment so this is new to me, but I can’t say for sure.”

Christopher Lopez,

Melrose

“Absolutely! I’m “Black-tino.” My dad is from Trinidad and my mom is Puerto Rican, but I’ve experienced discrimination from both sides of my family and in school, people make all kinds of snap judgments based on the exterior of my flesh, and it’s (expletive) annoying and it’s disgusting. I wish we can change this as a society.”

Jamil Aziz,

Manhattan resident visiting The Hub

 

“My personal story is an old situation from over thirty years ago. As a realtor, I had one homeowner in Brooklyn about ten years ago tell me to only bring white applicants for his rental apartment. The housing affordability crisis was created by the New York housing administration, and they continue to make it worse. Every time they increase the various voucher programs to make it appealing to homeowners, it becomes the new benchmark for rental apartments. This is the analysis of a majority of the agents who have been in the industry for over fifteen years.”

Phill Benn,

Brooklyn

 

Editor’s Note: Norwood News reached out to NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) on Benn’s comments and will share any updates we receive.