In the late 1980s I was working as a Real Estate broker/salesperson in South Tampa. One day a call came into the office. The person owned a house close to the Prestigious Palma Ceia Country Club. I went to meet with the owners to get a listing.  It was an upper end listing for the time. I then recognized the person. He was the retired owner of a local company. We were joking about his company, Tampa happenings in general and laughing. Just as I was leaving he stopped me and dropped an unexpected boom.

    He looked me straight in the eyes and in a very serious voice said, “Just so we are clear. If you bring a “N ” word to this home I will not open the door and pull the listing. I will not allow a ‘N word’ to live next to my neighbors.”

    WOW, I didn’t say a word but thought, ” What about a fag then.”

    Back at the office we all talked it over and decided to cross that bridge when and if it happened. The next week there was a showing of the property. It was an elderly white country club member with her interior decorator. They loved it and made an offer the next day. She then sent over her black handy man to inspect the house. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife. The closing for the property was held at another Country Club members title office.

    I had told her to bring a certified check to the closing. At the closing Mrs. New home buyer showed up with a small personal check book with kitty cats on the checks. I asked her where was the certified check and she smiled that she was way too busy to get one.

    The owner of the title company just smiled and said, “That will be fine.” That was my 1st 6 figure check I had ever seen on a small personal check. The company owner and his wife retired to a beach home.

    WOW, what a look at racism and old money in Tampa.