Are you planning a trip for the Christmas season, or New Years Eve, or winter break? Are you booking with Airbnb? Here’s a travel tip you can do nothing about: The whiter you name sounds, the better your Airbnb experience will be.
That’s according to a Harvard Business School study. The study shows Airbnb hosts are 16% less likely to host guest with ‘black sounding names’, like Raheem Jackson, than guest with ‘white sounding names’, like Jane Sullivan. Researchers conducting this study went as far to suggest black guests use pseudonyms. . One researcher even said African-Americans are better booking with mainstream hotels than playing race games with Airbnb. Researchers created over 6,000 fake profiles with names that sound white and black. They sent messages to five major US cities all across the country. The fake guests asked for a weekend in September. It didn’t matter if the hosts were white or black, it seemed the white guests’ requests were more honored. It didn’t take Airbnb long to respond and defend it’s name. In a statement, the company touts itself as one of the most open and diverse companies around today. The statement further said Airbnb recognizes potential discrimination, it will work with anyone to help reduce discrimination.
After Barak Obama was elected US President in November 2008, some said the last battle against American racism had been won. That’s not the case at all! Once again, tech/social media is not immune. I don’t blame Airbnb at all. But it’s time for a serious heart examination for each and every Airbnb host. Airbnb spokespeople tout their diversity. Now it’s time for Airbnb hosts to back it up. I propose before a host signs up to take guests, they should take a questionnaire test. Give them a set of names that sound white, black, Latino, Asian, and Arab. If they favor one race or ethnic group over the other, then that should disqualify them from becoming a host. It’s time this country had a discussion on issues like this, no matter how painful it might be. Where would you start?