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I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

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Re: I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

#21

Post by lolsal »

I find this interesting because instead of choosing to find a different cabin and reward another AirBnb host that was not racist (vote with your wallet), the author went out of their way to still do business with this host. It seems like the inconvenience of booking indirectly was not enough of a deterrent to factor into the purchase of this rental.

I also note that the host did say:

> So sorry, but we are planning to be up there now 4th of July week afterall

I wont presume to know if the host was racially motivated or not, but the response seems entirely plausible - possibly plans really did change. Either way this does not seem like something AirBnb could even remotely affect with policy. I don't think anyone could say 'plans changing' is racist, whether it's true or not.

Re: I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

#22

Post by lolsal »

I find this interesting because instead of choosing to find a different cabin and reward another AirBnb host that was not racist (vote with your wallet), the author went out of their way to still do business with this host. It seems like the inconvenience of booking indirectly was not enough of a deterrent to factor into the purchase of this rental.

I also note that the host did say:

> So sorry, but we are planning to be up there now 4th of July week afterall

I wont presume to know if the host was racially motivated or not, but the response seems entirely plausible - possibly plans really did change. Either way this does not seem like something AirBnb could even remotely affect with policy. I don't think anyone could say 'plans changing' is racist, whether it's true or not.

Re: I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

#23

Post by brador »

retrac98 wrote: post #3

It seems unrealistic to expect AirBnB to "fix" this issue. This is a cultural problem, not a technical one, and it's outside their sphere of control. Sure, they could shut down a few blatantly racist hosts... but that'll never stamp out the underlying sentiment and they'll never get them all. I think a more realistic expectation on them would be for them to actively promote equality and do their bit to contribute tow…

> it's outside their sphere of control

It is absolutely within their sphere of control. They can not show photos or names until the deal is done. Why does a renter need to see the face and name of the person renting?

As the market maker it is up to AirBnB to verify legitimacy of buyers and sellers. Photos and names add little to the transaction itself and are clearly reducing the buy side with no gain on sell side.

Re: I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

#24

Post by TheCoelacanth »

retrac98 wrote: post #3

It seems unrealistic to expect AirBnB to "fix" this issue. This is a cultural problem, not a technical one, and it's outside their sphere of control. Sure, they could shut down a few blatantly racist hosts... but that'll never stamp out the underlying sentiment and they'll never get them all. I think a more realistic expectation on them would be for them to actively promote equality and do their bit to contribute tow…

I think it's realistic to expect them not to aid landlords in violating the FHA. They should be taking active steps to remove discriminating landlords from their platform.

Re: I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

#25

Post by TheCoelacanth »

lolsal wrote: post #21

I find this interesting because instead of choosing to find a different cabin and reward another AirBnb host that was not racist (vote with your wallet), the author went out of their way to still do business with this host. It seems like the inconvenience of booking indirectly was not enough of a deterrent to factor into the purchase of this rental. I also note that the host did say: > So sorry, but we are planning t…

Except for the part where the host cancelled his request for another date and ignored all his subsequent communications.

Re: I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

#26

Post by txmx2000 »

vinay427 wrote: post #17
txmx2000 wrote: post #15

Somehow AirBnB is responsible for stopping racism. Not the police. Not the court system. Not congress. Not the host who cancelled the booking. AirBnB needs to balance the scales of justice. It's a completely rational idea.

Of course they're not obligated to stop racism. If they don't do anything to address this issue, however, I and potentially many others will hesitate to book using Airbnb to vote with our [currency]. This is capitalism working without necessarily requiring government interference.

"Address the issue"

That doesn't mean anything. There's no issue here.

Re: I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

#27

Post by vinay427 »

txmx2000 wrote: post #26
vinay427 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of course they're not obligated to stop racism. If they don't do anything to address this issue, however, I and potentially many others will hesitate to book using Airbnb to vote with our [currency]. This is capitalism working without necessarily requiring government interference.

"Address the issue" That doesn't mean anything. There's no issue here.

I see an societal issue that Airbnb can mitigate, and so do many of the commenters on this thread and on the article. I understand that you disagree, but some of us will gladly support alternatives that take a harder stance against what we see as injustices.

Re: I’m a black man. Here’s what happened when I booked an Airbnb

#28

Post by Chris2048 »

nailer wrote: post #12
retrac98 wrote: post #3

It seems unrealistic to expect AirBnB to "fix" this issue. This is a cultural problem, not a technical one, and it's outside their sphere of control. Sure, they could shut down a few blatantly racist hosts... but that'll never stamp out the underlying sentiment and they'll never get them all. I think a more realistic expectation on them would be for them to actively promote equality and do their bit to contribute tow…

> For example, while on-boarding hosts, show a short video encouraging a bit of open-mindedness. Not a video, but AirBnB (maybe about two months ago) made EVERY host agree to not discriminate or their listings would be turned off. I still think AirBnB is an awful company (hallway outside my apartment is currently trashed by an airbnb guest, the host doesn't care, airbnb won't get involved), but they are definitely aw…

> hallway outside my apartment is currently trashed by an airbnb guest, the host doesn't care

Can't you sue?

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