A lawyer's viral TikTok criticized Airbnb for a"slave cabin" listing in Mississippi advertised as a bed-and-breakfast.
"Properties that formerly housed the enslaved have no place on Airbnb," Airbnb said. "We apologize for any trauma or grief created by the presence of this listing, and others like it, and that we did not act sooner to address this issue." The company explained that it is working with experts to establish new policies for handling properties with slavery ties.
Airbnb said in a statement it had removed the listing, as well as others that have reportedly included former slave quarters in the U.S.Hauser said he is also going to seek expert advice, and that he plans to offer guests a "historically accurate portrayal" of life at the property for everyone who lived there, including those who were enslaved.
"I intend to do all I can to right a terrible wrong and, hopefully, regain advertising on Airbnb, so The Belmont can contribute to the most urgent demand for truth-telling about the history of not only the South but the entire nation," he said.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to see what life might have been like in the past. But to make slavery like a selling point doesn’t sit right with me either.