Hilton DoubleTree Faces Backlash After Racial Profiling Incident (video)

Introduction

A recent incident at a Hilton DoubleTree Hotel in Portland, Oregon, has sparked widespread outrage after two employees were accused of racial profiling a Black guest, Jermaine Massey. The hotel has since placed the employees involved on leave and issued a public apology. The event, which was captured on video and shared widely on social media, has reignited discussions about racial discrimination in everyday settings, including hotels and other public accommodations.

The Incident

On a Saturday night, Jermaine Massey, a 34-year-old Black man, was returning from a concert and decided to take a phone call from his mother in a quiet corner of the hotel lobby. During the call, he was approached by a security officer later identified as Earl Wesley Myers, a 71-year-old employee of the hotel. The security officer, who has since been dubbed “Hotel Earl” by the internet, asked Massey for his room number. When Massey said he couldn’t recall his room number at that moment and requested privacy for his phone call, the situation escalated.

Police Involvement and Escalation

Instead of allowing Massey to continue his call, Myers decided to contact the police, claiming Massey was a potential threat to the safety of other guests. Massey, who had already shown his room key and explained that he was a guest at the hotel, was nevertheless asked to leave the premises.

Despite presenting evidence of his stay, including his American Express card used for check-in, Massey was told by responding officers that he could be arrested for trespassing if he did not leave the property.

The confrontation between Massey and the hotel staff was captured on video, where Massey can be heard questioning why he was being treated differently from other guests in the lobby, who were not similarly questioned. The videos were later posted on Instagram, where they quickly gained attention and criticism from the public.

Hotel’s Response and Public Backlash

Following the incident, Massey was forced to find alternative accommodation and was denied a refund for his stay at the DoubleTree Hotel. The event drew significant media coverage and public scrutiny, leading the hotel to issue a second public apology. In their statement, Hilton DoubleTree announced that they were reviewing their protocols and training practices and had launched an internal investigation into the matter. They emphasized their “zero-tolerance stance on discrimination of any kind.”

Massey’s attorney issued a statement declaring that his client had been publicly humiliated and that the hotel needed to publicly address two key questions: why Massey was approached by security in the first place, and why he was deemed a threat to the safety and security of the guests.

Broader Context and Similar Incidents

This incident is part of a broader pattern of racial profiling incidents that have made headlines in recent years, where Black individuals have been subjected to scrutiny or law enforcement intervention while engaging in everyday activities. The report highlighted several similar cases, such as police being called on a group of Black people barbecuing, a young Black girl selling bottled water on the sidewalk, and even Bob Marley’s granddaughter, who was questioned after leaving an Airbnb.

The host of the segment, DeMarco Morgan, shared a personal experience that mirrored Massey’s situation. He recounted how a security guard at another hotel asked for his room number without approaching the white couple nearby. Morgan’s story further emphasized the pervasive nature of such incidents, even when no overt signs of wrongdoing are present.

Conclusion

Jermaine Massey’s experience at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges that people of color face in public spaces. The incident has not only sparked outrage but also highlighted the need for greater awareness and sensitivity in how hotel staff and other service industry professionals interact with guests of all backgrounds.

The hotel’s response, including placing the involved employees on leave and promising a review of their practices, is a step toward addressing the issue, but it also underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to combat racial discrimination in all its forms.