By Lee Han-soo
An Airbnb host who canceled a Korean-American woman's reservation because of her ethnicity and made racially provocative comments has been ordered to pay $5,000 damages for racial discrimination.
"I wouldn't rent to you if you were the last person on earth," said Tami Barker, the Airbnb host, who cancelled the woman's reservation by text. "One word says it all: Asian. It's why we have Trump."
Barker also added that she would "not allow this country to be told what to do by foreigners."
Dyne Suh, 26, posted a YouTube video right after the incident.
Suh booked Barker's home for $250 a night a month in advance to enjoy the President's Day weekend in February with her fiance and friends. She later confirmed with Barker that it was okay to bring her friends over if she paid additional cash.
But when Suh almost arrived at Barker's residence, the owner cancelled the guest's reservation, calling her a "con-artist" and bombarding her with racist comments.
On Youtube, Suh said she emigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was three and said the U.S. was the only country she considered home.
"I just feel so hurt," said Suh. "People thought: ‘Oh, with the election of President Obama racism is over in this country.' No. It's very much alive, it exists and can happen to anyone."
Suh added, "It stings that after living in the U.S. for over 23 years this is what happens. No matter if I follow the law ... no matter how well I treat others, it doesn't matter. If you're Asian, you're less than human and people can treat you like trash."
The California Department of Fair Employment ordered Barker to pay $5,000 to Suh. The authority also ordered Barker to take a college-level course in Asian American studies, agree to comply with anti-discrimination laws, apologize personally to Suh, participate in a community education panel and volunteer with a civil rights organization.
Airbnb has banned Barker from using its services as a host.
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