KAC Applauds Airbnb Host Tami Barker for Formal Apology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Joon Bang
(213) 365-5999
joon@kacla.org

On Friday, April 7, 2017, KAC contacted both parties embroiled in the Airbnb host and guest exchange that has since been at the center of a media firestorm highlighting the discriminatory language used by the host. On the following Monday, KAC hosted the Airbnb guest, Dyne Suh and the media to applaud her courage for publicly standing up against discrimination and racism. The Airbnb host, Tami Barker expressed that she would provide a public statement on a later date.

KAC applauds Tami Barker for her formal apology to Dyne Suh. After sending her apology to Ms. Suh, Ms. Barker contacted KAC and provided copy of her apology. In the letter, drafted by her attorney, it states, “Ms. Barker is deeply sorry for the comments she made. She asks your forgiveness for grossly stereotyping in a racist way the Asian community, and, specifically, you. Overtired and stressed, Tami made the statements out of heated frustration - but that’s merely a reason, not an excuse, as she explained to me she fully understands. She knows there was no basis for her ad hominem attack.”

"It takes courage to admit wrong and seek forgiveness in the face of public scrutiny. Given the climate of race relations in the nation, it’s up to us now to move forward and perhaps be willing to engage one another in tough conversations to bridge gaps between diverse people and communities, said Joon Bang, executive director of KAC.

​Media Coverage: Korea Daily, Korea Times

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Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organization, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities. ​