Real estate professionals have described an anonymous column from an industry specialist who left the sector over discrimination as a painful but unsurprising reminder of property’s problem with racism.
The column, published in last week’s EG, has reignited the debate over prejudice in the real estate industry, its author saying that “real estate is not a safe space for people of colour”.
“I have spoken to so many underrepresented groups within real estate – LGBTQ+, women and BAME – and there are so many stories of senior executives within real estate gaslighting victims of racial and sexual abuse,” he said in the piece.
The author shared his story after witnessing racist attacks aimed at English football players following the team’s Euro 2020 defeat, including a widespread tweet allegedly sent by an employee of a major real estate agency.
Together with a column from EG editor Samantha McClary, the piece attracted commentary across social media and through messages to the team.
“Much of the racism in the property industry isn’t as direct as the author has sadly received,” said Gurpreet Bassi, chief executive of auction house Bond Wolfe. “There is a lot of unconscious bias/prejudice. The attitudes towards and language used to describe BAME communities is quite shocking at times. I have experienced this many times.”
A facilities manager at a property management group agreed that displays of prejudice can be subtle as well as explicit.
“Sometimes the racial inequalities aren’t as evident as something being said and heard, it is as simple as things such as promotions being given to those less qualified but who fit the aesthetic of the company,” they said. “I myself have suffered such situations at previous employers who at the same time are congratulated for the amount that they do for the LGBT+ and BAME communities… I understand that change takes time and there’s a lot to be done, it’s just sad that the ‘changes’ being made may never be seen in my lifetime.”
Saj Rahman, founder of construction company Maple People, shared his experiences of industry prejudice. “I worked my way up management in construction. When I came early to a project meeting and was asked by an attendee whether I am the note taker, to which I responded: ‘I am the project manager and chair of the meeting and I will be taking notes’. Not that he read the invitation.
“Since then I have had many successes, made lots of colleagues and friends. Only when I started my own construction business did the tables turn; all my contacts turned away from me, suddenly no support, no contacts, no referrals, nothing. It’s only recently when someone said to me have I allowed for my colour and beard in figuring out why you are struggling… The question remains unanswered, as does my tenacity to ignore that topic and keep pushing on. The real estate sector is probably 95% white, being blunt. I could never understand why this is and still don’t.”
EG also heard from BAME individuals eager to carve a career in real estate but who felt locked out. Twitter user @BibsyP said they completed an MSc in real estate management last year. “Despite the level of diversity in the university, the racist tropes displayed by some of the tutors was unbelievable,” they said. “I have not been successful in gaining a salaried position in the industry… A reflection?”
Shahi Islam, head of affordable housing grants at Homes England, said the industry needs to move “away from words to actions”.
“We know that change doesn’t happen overnight, it takes will,” Islam added. “And what is sad and true is that some still have no desire to change. Hoping that this results in more inclusive participation across the sector.”
Alexandra Notay, investment director at PfP Capital, described the anonymous op-ed as “a painful but important read”. “The launching of many wonderful and well-intentioned diversity and inclusion initiatives mean nothing in our industry if the actual experience of people remains an environment of abuse without recrimination,” she said.
David Oates, chief revenue officer at PRODA, said the column had saddened but not surprised him. “Hopefully the public outcry after the abuse of the three England players has started a seismic shift in attitude and that this will spread to our industry,” he said. “It is not enough to be non-discriminatory any more. It is time for us all to be publicly, vocally and visibly anti-racist, anti-sexist and pro-LBGT.”
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