Shani Mott, Black Studies Scholar, Dies at 47
March 27, 2024 7:47 PM Subscribe
Her work looked at how race and power are experienced in America. In 2022, she filed a lawsuit saying that the appraisal of her home was undervalued because of bias.
"“She burned through two oxygen tanks and was in a wheelchair the entire time,” Dr. Connolly said. “And her ability to speak forcefully and to be direct and, frankly, to be so crystal clear about how real estate works and, in particular, instruments within the structure of a mortgage transaction, it was a master class.”"
Home Appraised With a Black Owner: $472,000. With a White Owner: $750,000.
Lawsuit Alleging Racial Bias in Home Appraisals Is Settled Nathan Connolly and the estate of Shani Mott, who recently died, will receive a payment from their mortgage lender, which also agreed to several policy changes to discourage discrimination.
Prof. Mott's Storytime channel
"“She burned through two oxygen tanks and was in a wheelchair the entire time,” Dr. Connolly said. “And her ability to speak forcefully and to be direct and, frankly, to be so crystal clear about how real estate works and, in particular, instruments within the structure of a mortgage transaction, it was a master class.”"
Home Appraised With a Black Owner: $472,000. With a White Owner: $750,000.
Lawsuit Alleging Racial Bias in Home Appraisals Is Settled Nathan Connolly and the estate of Shani Mott, who recently died, will receive a payment from their mortgage lender, which also agreed to several policy changes to discourage discrimination.
Prof. Mott's Storytime channel
To not only get the payment, but to also have policy changes that will help other families: thank you, Dr. Mott. What a tragic and untimely passing, but what a legacy she leaves.
posted by TwoStride at 8:09 PM on March 27 [12 favorites]
posted by TwoStride at 8:09 PM on March 27 [12 favorites]
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posted by mxjudyliza at 8:14 PM on March 27
posted by mxjudyliza at 8:14 PM on March 27
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posted by gentlyepigrams at 8:45 PM on March 27
posted by gentlyepigrams at 8:45 PM on March 27
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posted by yellowcandy at 8:51 PM on March 27
posted by yellowcandy at 8:51 PM on March 27
I don't know if it's the case here, but now seems like the appropriate time to give the reminder that the same systemic racism and implicit bias which undervalued Dr. Mott's home is also responsible for delayed diagnosis and generally worse outcomes in cancer for Black people.
posted by Panjandrum at 9:16 PM on March 27 [32 favorites]
posted by Panjandrum at 9:16 PM on March 27 [32 favorites]
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posted by PresidentOfDinosaurs at 10:18 PM on March 27
posted by PresidentOfDinosaurs at 10:18 PM on March 27
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posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 11:20 PM on March 27
posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 11:20 PM on March 27
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posted by socialjusticeworrier at 11:35 PM on March 27
posted by socialjusticeworrier at 11:35 PM on March 27
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posted by lalochezia at 4:04 AM on March 28
posted by lalochezia at 4:04 AM on March 28
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posted by Lawn Beaver at 4:44 AM on March 28
posted by Lawn Beaver at 4:44 AM on March 28
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 5:26 AM on March 28
posted by JoeXIII007 at 5:26 AM on March 28
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posted by ewok_academy at 7:37 AM on March 28
posted by ewok_academy at 7:37 AM on March 28
I keep thinking about it and I don't think I could have deposed someone in her condition in that kind of case (keep in mind that depositions are by opposing counsel). I think I would've told my client, "She's going to die, it's going to make national news, and you'll need to settle anyway. Settle for deposing her husband [also a plaintiff in the case]." I would've been giving my client sound advice, but also...I don't think I could've done it.
posted by praemunire at 7:43 AM on March 28 [3 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 7:43 AM on March 28 [3 favorites]
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posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 9:52 AM on March 28
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 9:52 AM on March 28
In addition to quickly offering a second appraisal when bias is indicated, loanDepot will also clearly communicate to applicants the right to request a review or adjustment of an appraisal, known as a Reconsideration of Value, or R.O.V., and ensure that any allegations of appraisal bias are escalated to loanDepot’s Fair Lending group, according to the settlement.
The lender has also pledged to keep applicants’ interest rates locked during R.O.V. periods so that homeowners who request a new appraisal or reconsideration of value do not lose out on the mortgage interest rate they were promised at their initial valuation. loanDepot will also overhaul its own training of staff on fair housing and fair lending laws, as well as the history of discrimination in American real estate; and is pledging to sever ties with any appraisers who are found to show indications of bias in their work.
…[Dr. Mott] entered hospice care in January and used a wheelchair and an oxygen tank, but on March 1, less than two weeks before her death, she gave an eight-hour deposition in the case, said Dr. Connolly, 46. She dissected the nation’s landmark Fair Housing laws, and how the history of both property rights and the mortgage industry are inextricably bound to the racial wealth gap in the United States. She abstained from her pain medication for the entire day to keep her mind clear, Dr. Connolly said.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:04 AM on March 28 [3 favorites]
The lender has also pledged to keep applicants’ interest rates locked during R.O.V. periods so that homeowners who request a new appraisal or reconsideration of value do not lose out on the mortgage interest rate they were promised at their initial valuation. loanDepot will also overhaul its own training of staff on fair housing and fair lending laws, as well as the history of discrimination in American real estate; and is pledging to sever ties with any appraisers who are found to show indications of bias in their work.
…[Dr. Mott] entered hospice care in January and used a wheelchair and an oxygen tank, but on March 1, less than two weeks before her death, she gave an eight-hour deposition in the case, said Dr. Connolly, 46. She dissected the nation’s landmark Fair Housing laws, and how the history of both property rights and the mortgage industry are inextricably bound to the racial wealth gap in the United States. She abstained from her pain medication for the entire day to keep her mind clear, Dr. Connolly said.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:04 AM on March 28 [3 favorites]
is the deposition available to be read? performed as a dialogue?
posted by eustatic at 3:04 PM on March 28
posted by eustatic at 3:04 PM on March 28
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posted by The Manwich Horror at 7:51 PM on March 27