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Airbnb Listing Taken Down After Black Woman Finds Hanging Monkeys and Cotton Used As Decor
6 hours ago
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Erica W. discovered cotton and monkey decorations in her Airbnb rental.Photo byTikTok/@tasteofmelanin
Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of A.I. software.
Incident Overview
On July 28, 2024, a TikTok video posted by Erica W., known as @tasteofmelanin on the platform, garnered significant attention after she exposed disturbing racist decorations in an Airbnb rental. The incident occurred in a rental property that Erica had booked, although the exact location remains unspecified. The video has since gone viral, prompting widespread concern and leading to the removal of the listing from Airbnb's platform.
Disturbing Discoveries
Erica W.'s TikTok video revealed several unsettling items within the rental home:
Monkey figurines: Hanging from various spots in the house, including a fake cotton branch mounted on the wall.
Artificial cotton plants: Used as decor in multiple areas, such as a basket on the floor, a vase filled with cotton branches, and a large plant adorned with plush monkeys.
Wooden plaque shaped like Virginia: Positioned on a mantle beneath a mounted deer head trophy.
The decor items are particularly troubling given their historical and racist connotations:
Cotton: A symbol of the labor forced upon enslaved people in the southern United States during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Monkeys: Historically used in racist stereotypes against Black individuals.
Public Reaction and Actions Taken
Since its release, the video has amassed over two million views and more than 5,000 comments, with many viewers expressing shock and advising Erica to report the property to Airbnb. One commenter stated, "Take pictures to send to Airbnb. This is genuinely insane," while another noted, "Nah, this has to be intentional."
In response to the backlash, Erica W. mentioned in follow-up comments that she vacated the property immediately and that Airbnb subsequently removed the listing from its platform. As of this writing, Airbnb has not issued a public statement regarding the incident.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in online rental platforms. While Airbnb acted quickly to remove the listing, the incident highlights ongoing concerns about racial insensitivity and discrimination in the hospitality industry.
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