Jamaican rental owner says that she will no longer accept short-term stays because of Black Americans
“The Barefoot Island Lady,” owner of the rental company Rustic Mountain Living, located in Jamaica, made waves throughout social media this week when she declared in a TikTok that she would no longer be accepting short-term stays and exactly why she came to that decision.
In the video, the owner stated that her decision stemmed from poor experiences she’s had in the past with Black American guests. Although she made sure to clarify that she doesn’t believe all Black Americans are bad, she did say that the ones that have stayed at her property “have been nothing but problems.” The Barefoot Island Lady went on to say that Black Americans are “entitled,” “disrespectful,” and “unappreciative.” She also noted that she’s only ever had two respectful Black American guests.
In her video, the rental owner further described that she believes Black Americans behave this way because they are “spoiled” and handed “free sh–” by the country. Therefore, when they come to Jamaica, they expect the same treatment.
“Because of that, I am not risking my health and my happiness for people…I will not hate my business because of customers,” she remarked toward the end of the video.
The woman’s TikTok resulted in an onslaught of discourse in the comments of the original video and on Twitter, where the TikTok was reposted. Many users were confused by her claim of the freebies Black Americans receive in the U.S., with one TikTok commenter asking, “What stuff are we getting free in the US and how can I get it?”
Another TikTok user described how they would gladly take their business elsewhere, saying, “Who going to Jamaica to stay in a AC free shack? All inclusive resort me pls.”
Although there were dissenters, some social media users agreed with the woman.
“This is why I love the Caribbean people. We just tell it how it is,” said one TikTok user, praising the rental owner’s honesty.
“I don’t blame you sis,” commented a user on Twitter. “Black American people don’t always like mirrors pointed at us unfortunately.”
Despite the varying opinions, the woman posted another video, in which she doubled down on what she said in the original post.
“I’m not sorry,” the woman said with an accompanying laugh. “Not sorry. I could post that video one more hundred times, I would post it. You can’t bully somebody into what you want them to say. It’s freedom of speech. I can say how I feel.”
Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine and 5280 Magazine discussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. You can reach Roshae via email at roshaehemmings@detourxp.com.
This story was originally published May 26, 2023 at 11:24 AM.