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In an effort to overcome issues surrounding discrimination, Airbnb has enlisted the help of former Attorney General Eric Holder. Holder will help the company develop an anti-discrimination policy. Airbnb found itself in hot water after several of its hosts were accused of prejudice against African-Americans. According to a study conducted by the Harvard Business School, some hosts denied homes to customers who had “Black-sounding” names. People of color have shared their experiences through the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack and called on the company to implement a practice to fix the issue. “While we have a policy that prohibits discrimination, we want this policy to be stronger,” said Airbnb Chief Executive Brian Chesky in a statement on Wednesday. “In early June we announced that we would review every aspect of the Airbnb platform to help ensure we are doing everything we can to fight bias and discrimination.” Chesky believes that Holder has the ability to help the company make an effective change. Holder will team up with civil rights attorney John Relman to create the new plan. “Airbnb is committed to building a community where everyone can belong, no matter who they are or what they look like. I’m eager to help them craft policies that will be the model for companies who share Airbnb’s commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Holder in a statement. Read more.


Family of Florida Woman Who Died After Being Removed from Hospital Will Take Legal Action

The loved ones of a Florida woman who passed away after being removed from a hospital where she was seeking treatment have decided to sue. In December 2015, Barbara Dawson was receiving treatment at Calhoun Liberty Hospital for respiratory issues. Although she alerted employees at the medical facility that she was still having trouble breathing, she was discharged. After she refused to leave the hospital, she was apprehended for “trespassing” and “disorderly conduct.” While the police officers tried to put her into their car, she lost consciousness and was rushed back to the hospital, where she died shortly after. Her family is now looking to sue the employees who denied her care. Sandi Poreda, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said that the facility has made major changes since the incident occurred. “In the wake of the incident with Ms. Dawson, our hospital has made substantial improvements in staff training as well as policies and procedures,” said Poreda. “We have also worked hard to regain the trust of our community, working hand in hand with our hospital task force to identify ways we can address community concerns.” Read more.


A$AP Rocky Attempts To Clear the Air After Saying He ‘Can’t Relate’ To Police Brutality Issues

Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky found himself in hot water after a 2015 interview he did with Time Out New York resurfaced. When asked about using his platform to spread awareness about race relations and police brutality, he stated that just because he’s Black, he shouldn’t feel obligated to speak up. “They’re not forcing me to do s—. I’m just gonna stay black and die. Why, because I’m black? So every time something happens because I’m black I gotta stand up? What the f— am I, Al Sharpton now? I’m A$AP Rocky. I did not sign up to be no political activist. I wanna talk about my motherf—–’ lean, my best friend dying, the girls that come in and out of my life, the jiggy fashion that I wear, my new inspirations in drugs!” he said. “I don’t wanna talk about no f—–Ferguson and s— because I don’t live over there! I live in f—– Soho and Beverly Hills. I can’t relate. I’m in the studio; I’m in these fashion studios; I’m in these b—–s’ drawers. I’m not doing anything outside of that. That’s my life.” The rapper made an appearance on 105.1’s The Breakfast Club on Wednesday in efforts to clear the air. He claims that his words were misconstrued. “I feel terrible as a Black man and as an American,” he said. Prior to this controversy, Rocky was featured in the “23 Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black in America” video. Read more.


Amandla Stenberg Nabs Lead Role in ‘Everything, Everything’ Film

Actress Amandla Stenberg has nabbed a lead role in the upcoming film Everything, Everything. The movie is an on-screen adaptation of Nicola Yoon’s novel. The story chronicles the experiences of a 17-year-old girl who has health issues that confines her to her home. When a boy moves next door, the girl ends up falling in love with him. Director and writer Stella Meghie will direct the project. Alloy Entertainment Features’ Elysa Dutton and Les Morgenstein will serve as producers. Stenberg has two other projects in the works, including The Hate U Give, a film inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and Where Hands Touch, a love story about an SS officer and a biracial girl from Germany. Read more.

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

NEWS ROUNDUP: Airbnb Enlists Eric Holder To Help Overcome Discrimination Issues…AND MORE  was originally published on newsone.com