The NAR Board of Directors approved a series of recommendations from NAR’s Professional Standards Committee that extend the application of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics to discriminatory speech and conduct outside of members’ real estate practices. The changes to the Code of Ethics prohibit REALTORS® from using harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity in any context.
These changes take effect immediately, though they cannot be applied to speech or conduct that occurred before November 13. Visit nar.realtor for detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions about the changes.
I’m concerned bout defining “hate speech”. We’ve seen circumstances where this term has been abused to crack down on opinion one disagrees with. It sounds great, but is a very slippery slope.
Thank you Charlie, this is a very good point. Who is defining “Hate” and “Harassing” speech? If all it takes is someone to feel “Offended”, this is a very slippery slope where anything someone says can get them in trouble.
Agreed Charlie
Agreed.
Agreed, applying vague term for rules is very dangerous. Not to mention, I wasn’t aware that this was an issue within the real estate community. Are agents harassing other agents and using “hate speech” in their attacks?
I am very concerned about this change. I do not condone hate speech, etc. But who will be policing this? What one person thinks is hate speech or racism, another may disagree. What happened to the First Amendment, the Right to Free Speech? I think this new addition to the code of ethics is over reaching and will result in division and problems in our industry. It is pitting folks against each other. I also predict some litigation on this when a member is accused of something from another member that is not warranted.
its un american and un constitutional.
I totally agree Jesus!
Exactly Eva!
I agree. Overstepping, for sure.
What do We consider Unamerican? Common sense shows Us what is good and acceptable and what is offensive and degrading to another person or persons. I agree with the new code. It is Time.
Totally agree. We are adults and should know right from wrong for gods sake !
Agreed
The 1st amendment applies only to the Government restricting your speech. Ironic that you post your opinion on ethics when clearly you couldn’t pass a HS civics class.
Who decides from NAR what speech is considered hate speech? Are they now our thought police as well? Since when are we their employees? Oh wait, we aren’t! But we are FORCED to be a member of them.
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Hmm. If one does not say something discriminatory or hateful to or about another group of people, one won’t have to be concerned that one’s post/speech could be seen as hate speech. Why is that so difficult to grasp? What words or names are so important to refer to others that some insist that denying them that “freedom” is wrong?
why are you being so hateful with your speech? your words made me feel stupid.
exactly…and that is all it takes! This is wrong, NAR has no business in my personal business!
Exactly!
Agree. Who will police it. What one person deems as hate speech may not be true. My goodness you can even say boo anymore without someone making it more than it is. NAR should not tell us what we can do, say or think. We are educated professionals & should not be held under a microscope. This is just another example of where we’re headed as a society. It’s not right. NAR you offend me. I know how to handle myself professionally, you make me feel stupid…Can I police you!
Totally Agree!
Well put Jesus.
Hope, all it takes is for someone who is angry with you, or doesn’t agree with you to feel “Offended”, or “Harassed” and bam, now you’ve got NAR “investigating” you.
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Well said . I was just thinking the same thing.
Well said, Hope, your speech hurt my feelings and I think you are being, not only condescending but hateful.
Some people would argue that hate speech is a matter of opinion-the First Amendment assures is the ability
to express our opinion.
Hope – – The problem is – this is completely subjective, I could say something and my meaning was not meant to be ‘hateful’ but could be in disagreement and another person (on the hearing panel) could deem it hateful – and that puts me in violation? That is wrong and extremely against our 1st Amendment. Imagine someone speaking out about horrific events in another country, yet they are ‘within that countries’ religious acts, – is that “religious hate speech”? How is it you said ‘Hmm’ ??
I agree. I do think it is an infringement on our 1st amendment rights.
This hate speech policing seems and feels that its the excuse to use to kick anyone you don’t like out of being a Realtor. “Trust us” you say, “we’ll be fair” nothing will be fair about this. We’ll be putting each other under a microscope, Realtor against realtor, trying to hurt each other financially. How are your guys so blind. Is that a hate speech? All we need is a new designation, Hate Speech Hunter. SMH
I agree!
It hurts my feelings that there are 9000 signs out there with a brand new Realtor on it and no sign of a broker and nothing and I mean nothing is ever done! Start policing that!
OMG! Seriously!
My thoughts, EXACTLY!!
I agree Jesus.
If you are a professional and an adult, then you should know what hate speech sounds likes, so don’t engage in it period. Our first amendment is freedom of speech, not freedom of hate speech.
Congratulations NAR…you’ve now become a willing participant in the “cancel culture.” IMHO, you’ve now become as irrelevant as the social media giants who also feel it’s their role to subvert free speech, more especially when one is not acting in an official capacity as a REALTOR. I choose not to participate in your little power trip and will gladly contribute to any class action suit that comes about because of your misguided overreach. I will speak my mind on my time regardless of your absurd attempts to stifle it.
Unbelievable! What happened to freedom of speech? And what about my religious freedom?
I just got a “warning” that so was posting comments too quickly! Lol Acknowledging a comment with a 👍🏻Come on NAR!
Your religious freedom is for you to worship as you wish. It does not give you license to hate or discriminate against others. Please do not use “religious freedom” as a refuge to discriminate.
You may believe as you wish – but you cannot impose your beliefs on others. Hope that helps.
The NAR board of directors should not confuse themselves with Kings or Queens who rule over the commoners.
I couldn’t care less about their authoritarian dictates as I am sure their pictures are directly next to “virtue signaling” in the dictionary.
It’s unfortunate these people can’t find some constructive to do rather then throw themselves at the feet of the faux persecuted.
Would the response “Kiss my ass” be within the code of ethics? Just a rhetorical question.
I think that the NAR should review the speech that was given by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Anthony Alito to the federalist organization last week. Most scholars have been absolutely surprised that he would come out and make out this kind of comment, especially in regards to free speech.
2020 has shown us that any organization, club, government authority or group of people can be swayed by a small persuasive number of people into thinking they have the power to tell you to do something or to stop doing something and the masses will be obedient. And we have shown we will obey.
For what it is worth, let me join the others in the forum in expressing concern at the very least for this over reaching policy. I am a minority realtor and know exactly how discrimination works. So When I tell you this policy can do more harm than good, it is with a personal perspective. Besides, the state and local laws are sufficient to deal with any discrimination cases. I suspect we are going to spend our membership dues on unnecessary litigation faced by NAR. Since NAR is an organization made of realtor members, why not take a referendum on… Read more »
yes! this!!!
I am very sad that the Thought Police have entered real estate.
Tracy – – perfectly said – – I’m sad also.
It believe this is an overreach on NAR, TAR, and HAR part. If I am not mistaken this might be unconstitutional; sounds more like socialist or communist structure on speech.
The ability of one person or organization to control freedom of speech in one’s personal time is unconstitutional. I will gladly support any legal actions brought against the NAR for these violations of our constitutional right to freedom of speech “no matter how vulgar or offensive.” I do not engage in or encourage any actions of hate, but I strongly believe that these draconian measures are an abuse of power by the NAR. They give the NAR singular control as to what constitutes hate speech and the ability to control the livelihood of an agent via the threat of actions… Read more »
Honestly this is not a great idea. First I can’t think of any professional that would do this in their normal day of work and also who does get to decide. My idea of hate and yours maybe very different. Needs to be thought out better and it really opens up an agent for disputes.
I’m concerned that our First Amendment rights are being violated with this regulation. I’m also concerned that since most agents are contract labor, how can anyone regulate this.
I fully support the new guidelines. As Realtors we represent our entire industry and our reputation is everything. There simply is no room for harassing or hate speech or slurs of any kind. If you cannot abide by the new and fully comprehensive non-discrimination policies – maybe this isn’t the right industry for you ! Abiding by these guidelines is very simple – just don’t “hate” or “discriminate” and you’ll be fine !
J.N. Who decides what is “hate”? Who decides” what is “harassing”? Anyone can say they were “offended” at something you said. We interact with people of many cultures, cultures in which “American” values, and common language can be “offensive”. All it takes is for someone to report you and say you were “offensive”, or “hateful” and that you meant it because you are “racist”.
Don’t think it can happen? You’re fooling yourself.
J.N., I agree. If I see a REALTOR publicly backing someone who openly supported racial segregation, such as J. Biden, I will report them. I’m sure you don’t fit this category, so you’ll be fine.
This might be the last straw. Why should we support an organization that seems to be pandering to a leftist agenda? It seems to me that conservative-leaning speech is what will be targeted. NAR already sold us out to the FinTech companies by selling our data so they can make billions why we pick up the scraps. This association has become one more once-great institution overrun by the leftist. I have always paid my dues because I believed in realtors standing up for realtors. But while I do not condone: “harassing and hateful speech” the principle of free speech must… Read more »
This is what we pay dues for?
If you need an association to be licensed, then they shouldn’t be able to regulate your speech. I question the constitutionality.
I wish I had that option! To be a member of our MLS we must be a Realtor® ( member of NAR) I hate the idea that I am paying to support this orginization.
More “cancel culture” organizations eroding our 1st amendment rights. I agree, we should act professionally and accordingly but no organization should try to limit or infringe on our personal lives outside of scope of the job. TREPAC needs to put some heat on the officials to challenge this. Isn’t NAR currently in a new suit filed by the DOJ for anti-trust law breaking? Now lets just add unconstitutional rules to the mix. I mean, telling us how to speak “in any context”? So, you are going to tell me no more jokes in my locker room sauna with my buddies?… Read more »
Big Brother is all this is. I hope this gets tested in court in a week. NAR seems on the surface to be trying to put realtors out of business at every turn. This is way out of line
I’m new to realestate, but do we not pay a member ship? Why do we get information on consideration of changing language in codes or bylaws or whatever. Slippery slop infringement on civil liberty’s and freedom of speech. I don’t Condone hate of any kind. Tired of our civil liberties being violated.
Congratulation NAR! You have now brought division to our organization. Isn’t there enough in our country at this moment in time. You have successfully opened the proverbial “Can of Worms”.
So much passion expressed on this topic of Conduct, Hate, and Harassment; Here’s what the dictionary states… Dictionary: Hate Speech Law and Legal Definition; Hate speech is a communication that carries no meaning other than the expression of hatred for some group, especially in circumstances in which the communication is likely to provoke violence. It is an incitement to hatred primarily against a group of persons defined in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and the like. Hate speech can be any form of expression regarded as offensive to racial, ethnic, and religious groups and other… Read more »
What is anyone doing about this? This may be a membership organization however when you are forced to be part of it to run your business it fall out of that protection.. They can not sensor your private speech. Does anyone know what is happening to fight this? If you read the details of the code, it states “your body gesture, can be construed as hate speech too.” OMG! what in the world?