Civil Rights Groups Condemn Airbnb Ad as Racist and Coded
A group of civil rights, clergy, and business leaders have condemned the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and Tenants Not Tourists for using racially charged imagery in an advertising campaign against Airbnb.
According to an open letter, the groups were accused of using a "racist and coded" advertising campaign, promoting fear and bias towards Black men.
The ad appeared in the Bronx Times and depicted "the back of a Black man in a hoodie and cap, holding a suitcase outside a brownstone," alongside the caption: "Airbnb says its safety checks may not reveal criminal activity.
The letter accused the groups of using racially charged imagery to incite fear about short-term rentals.
Author's summary: Civil rights groups condemn Airbnb ad as racist.