Deed restrictions

Regarding “Racist deed restrictions persist all across U.S.,” (A21, Oct. 14): I appreciate Annika Olson’s attention to the extensive reminder of institutionalized racism in the United States that is found in neighborhood deed restrictions, and I share her dismay. As president of the Old Braeswood Property Owners Association, however, I was disappointed that she chose our neighborhood as the case to highlight. Ms. Olson was evidently unaware of the fact that we undertook a very successful deed restriction amendment campaign in 2019 to eliminate the racial language from our governing documents. By law, while the original language will remain forever in our deeds, the change will appear in newer documents that indicate the amendment. Thus, the sad history of institutional racism is preserved while the contemporary reality of our diverse neighborhood can be celebrated. Residents spent a great deal of time and money to make this change because they believed it was important, but neither state nor federal law provides a simple way to remove illegal racial language from deed restrictions in Texas. It was discouraging to be singled out as an example of the problem when we put so much effort into the solution.

Julie Cohn, president, Old Braeswood

Property Owners Association

Editor’s note: We regret the op-ed did not note that the Old Braeswood Property Owners Association has amended its deeds to remove racist language from its deed restrictions.