Oklahoma City leaders are working to amend historic property records containing discriminatory language that barred minority groups from owning property.

Removing Discriminatory Language

Oklahoma City officials are reviewing thousands of historic property records to remove discriminatory language that once barred minority groups from owning property. A plat is a legal map of a neighborhood that outlines property boundaries, streets, and easements. However, some historic plat documents in Oklahoma City contain language explicitly prohibiting certain racial and ethnic groups from owning property.

According to Emma Winiski, compliance officer for the Human Rights Commission, the restrictions targeted Black, Jewish, Asian, and other minority groups. While these covenants have been unenforceable since a 1948 U.S. Supreme Court decision, the discriminatory language remains in many official property records.

A state law signed in 2024 now allows cities to formally amend these plats and remove the offensive wording. Oklahoma City’s Human Rights Commission has spent over a year reviewing thousands of records to identify affected properties. Officials estimate there are roughly 6,600 plats across the city, nearly half of which have been reviewed. Hundreds have already been identified as containing discriminatory language.

The process is detailed and time-consuming, involving the review of historical records, notification of property owners, approval from city boards and councils, and filing amended plats with the county. Volunteers have played a significant role in assisting city staff with the review process.

During this week’s city council discussion, council members emphasized that the effort is about more than updating paperwork. It’s about acknowledging a history that shaped where people could live and ensuring those records reflect the values of today.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.