By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
National Action Network, Day 2, April 7, 2022
As
always, Rev. Sharpton's National Action Network Convention presents
some of the foremost experts in a variety of fields of importance and
impact to the Black community. The great thing about this year, and
last year, is that it is being streamed on YouTube. However, ICYMI,
one of the most pivotal speakers was Secretary of HUD Marcia L. Fudge -
the first Black woman to head HUD (the Department of Housing and Urban
Development).
She
came to the position with passion and compassion. As one of the guest
speakers, she provided information of direct impact and pivotal
importance to Black families across the nation. So, I'm excerpting from
her presentation in case you missed it; or didn't hone in on some of
the more salient parts of her message.
The
Honorable Marcia L Fudge, Secretary of HUD indeed had some good news
and innovations to share, and started off by saying: "There's money in
my bank account (i.e, Budget), and I intend to spend it all!" To which
the audience responded in a huge applause.
Marcia
Fudge, was formerly a congresswoman from Ohio; and as the first Black
woman to head up HUD (Housing & Urban Development) since its
inception in 1964, when it was established by president Lyndon Baines
Johnson, as part of his vision for a poverty-free "Great Society," also
the first to make any major changes to correct years of neglect of the
principles upon which it was originally intentioned. She pledged to do
everything in her power to close the homeownership gap that currently
exists among Black people and people of color.
 | |
| Secretary of HUD Marcia L Fudge greeted by Rev. Al Sharpton |
She
stated: "The first 17 words of the Constitution are 'We the people of
the United States, in order to form a more perfect union established in
justice..." Rev. Al fights to ensure we the people are included in the
establishment in justice. He understands that while we've come a long
way, we've got a long way to go. We know it's hard to be Black in America - but people need to understand it! This is our moment! And we must not shrink from our moment! I grew up with a lot of older people - who used to say "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
The
former Congresswoman continued, "Many of us remain trapped in poverty,
poisoned by the paint on the walls, Our children are being born behind
the starting lines of life, playing catch up to catch up with everyone.
This is not time for us to shrink. We must meet this moment because THIS IS OUR MOMENT. WE WILL NOT BE DENIED EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW. And I'm going to do my part!"
"When
I accepted the role as the 18th secretary of HUD, I knew there was a
great task before me." she continued. "We faced a number of crises. We (HUD) still redline;
don't lend to Black and brown people and poor people. We still
undervalue people's houses just because of the color of their skin. I remember what Jesus said to his disciples - 'To whom much is given, much is required.'
And I have been given much - I've always had a home - I always had a
safe place. Everybody should have that same feeling - to feel safe at
home. I am required/obligated to help those who have been neglected and
ignored for far too
long. It is my responsibility to make sure that those who want to buy a
home have that opportunity. And that those who live in
public housing - those who are in my care - can live safely and be treated
decently, with dignity every single day. It has been more than
50 years since the Fair Housing Act was passed. But the gap between
Black and white is bigger than before it was passed in 1968!! Under
the Biden/Harris Admin. We are tackling the root causes of
discrimination, because we know that owning a home is our greatest
source of generational wealth."
Last
summer, in 2021, she headed up a Presidential task force on racial bias
in home appraisals.
"You've seen the stories of how our homes are devalued or undervalued
just because we live in Black communities. If we could just close that
gap, and not lose billions and billions of dollars every year because
our properties are undervalued, we could make a big difference in this
country. Black properties lose billions and
billions of dollars in equity because of biases in real estate
appraisals - But let me tell you what! It's going to stop right now!"
(This is ironically true - as a former R.E. appraiser, I/ve seen some
evidence of padding on one side, while devaluing or discounting our
properties - and using a check and balance approach to justify it).
According to Secretary Fudge, Black people's home are being under
appraised by as much as $25,000 - which amounts to $100,000 in a four
year period, causing us to lose equity and opportunity.
The
great thing about having Marcia Fudge as head of HUD, is she has
compassion, a mission, a vision, and understanding. Something that
hasn't existed in quite some time:
"You see, you can't give some people power, because they use it! And I'm using mine!
I'm not afraid to do what is right!!!
We're
also going to make sure that people have a real shot at buying a home.
People of color, when they come to buy a home, one of the biggest
impediments is student loans. But what we've done is neutralize student
debt. IF YOU GET AN FHA INSURED LOAN, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE YOU GET
IT! That's what happens when you put the right people in the
right places. I've got a fantastic group of people working with me!
These people know what they are doing! So, we are also coming up
with a new product. Instead of dealing with a 30 year mortgage, when
they get in trouble, we're going to refinance that mortgage, changing it
to a 40 year mortgage. So we can reduce your payments, reduce your
interest rates! It may take longer to pay it off,but you'll still have
your home!"
A
previous panelist mentioned the fact that if an individual was
consistent in paying their rent on time, they should be immediately
qualified for a mortgage. Somehow that information is not considered
when they are doing credit checks. It just isn't reported, which is
ridiculous! Paying rent on time is one the biggest responsibilities a
person has. If they are paying their rent, they can pay a mortgage!!"
In sum, Secretary Fudged stated the following:
- The president's budget for 2023 is
asking for down payment assistance. We know most people of color can
pay their rents. It's the down payment that creates a problem. So
we're doing down payment assistance so we can get people in homes and
put the down payment loan on the back end of the mortgage;
- We
have told banks it's okay to do special things for people who have been
underserved. We've been told it's discriminatory. No, it's not
discriminatory! we are saying to you you can do that.
- We are going to have oversight of fair lending.
- When
people come to us and say they've been discriminated against, we have a
hot line on our website. If you think you've been discriminated
against, then you need to call us, because we're going to look into it!
- We will have oversight of fair lending and have a hotline on our website - call them!
-
Homelessness: on any given night more than a half a million people
sleep on the street - 40% are Black people, while we make up 13% of the
population; and Black Seniors are the fastest growing homeless groups;
and families with children."
She
continued, "We can't change everything, but we're going to change a
lot. I didn't get to this dance by myself! I stand on other shoulders -
like Shirley Chisholm, who was from New York. who said: 'If they don't
give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.' And now that you
are at the table, you have to make room for somebody else! At my home
we had big dinners - always made room - all you had to do was scoot
over! We have to make room to hear all of the voices - if we don't, we
will fail the next generation."
Secretary
Fudge remarked that she was advancing in age, and would eventually be
stepping down. "I want the next generation to be prepared, so I have
taken on the responsibility of helping to prepare them." This is indeed
excellent. I wish more elected politicians and people in places of
responsibility had the wisdom and insight she does. What we don't need
is a younger generation advancing to positions of power and
responsibility, and being ignorant and irresponsibility as to what their
roles and responsibilities are vis a vis Black people. It's those times
that set us back decades, while the new appointee is still trying to
figure out his role and responsibility. (Too bad our other leaders,
elected officials don't see the necessity in grooming a successor -
instead they try to die in their position, and compromise the future
existence of all they've worked for. Hopefully they'll follow this
example).
"What we have to do is to form the kind of coalition that can stand in the moment -
And This Is Our Moment!!!
Anybody that underestimates Black people is making a huge mistake!!! We are a determined people who have been through a lot and we're still standing! That means getting everybody else to vote!! Lift your voice for the right thing because things must change!" (Yes, I enlarged that quote so that you wouldn't overlook it! )
We are in the midst of Midterms MIDTERMS MATTER - we can't sit through this era, we have to take definitive action!! GDW (I said that, but it fits in with what she's saying).
She
concluded: "We have to decide if we want two nations - one Black one
white; one Rich one poor. This
is one America! We have to decide if we're going to have one nation,
under God. Let's show what one nation under God looks like! Langston
Hughes writes 'I too sing America, land that I love!' Well, I, too,
sing America. I'm an American! And nobody's going to take that away from
me!"
Of course, she exited to thundering applause!
For those of you who are interested in following up on the programs Secretary Fudge mentioned in her speech, can log onto:
www.huduser.gov
Make sure you follow up - don't just read this and file it away. Use it and share it.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
JSYK:
I am very proud of
Soror Marcia L. Fudge and
the wonderful work she is doing.
Gloria DULAN-Wilson
