Tough conversations about race, stereotypes, police, and systemic racism have been at the forefront of our communities for a while now, but there’s still a lot that needs to improve.
One employee at a Hampton Inn proved that over the Summer of 2020 when she discriminated against a Black mother hanging out at the pool with her kids.
A Bad Vacation
In June 2020, Anita Williams-Wright was enjoying pool time with her children at a Hampton Inn in Williamston, North Carolina, when a white employee approached her. The employee asked Williams-Wright to prove she was staying at the hotel, despite the guest flashing her room key. The mother decided to capture the incident on video.
“I feel it’s discrimination. I have a room here,” Williams-Wright said in the clip, which she posted to Instagram in a since-deleted post, as per USA Today, and to Facebook.
RELATED: Twitter User Receives Disgusting Racist Message – How He Responded Completely Shocked The Internet
“This lady here is discriminating (against) me. I have a key to get in, and I can show you that it works. I have a room here. I don’t have to give my name. I didn’t break the law.”
According to Williams-Wright, the employee didn’t ask anyone else at the pool to prove they were guests. “It was two white people sitting over there, and she said nothing to them,” Williams-Wright continued in the video. “She said to me, 'Oh, because it’s always people like you using the pool unauthorized.' Who is 'people like me?'”
An Unexpected Escalation
At that point, the employee called the police. When Williams-Wright refused to provide identification or her room number to them, they used her license plate from her car parked outside the pool area to confirm she was indeed a registered guest at the hotel. According to the police report, “no enforcement action was taken, and officers cleared the call.”
“Once I prove that I have a room, that was for you to walk away,” Williams-Wright said to one of the officers in the video. “I didn’t commit a crime. You are degrading me like this in front of my kids. They are trying to enjoy themselves in the pool.”
RELATED: Racist Man Attacks Helpless 76-Year-Old Woman – But He Badly Underestimates Her Abilities
The video went viral, and many people called out the hotel employee for her actions.
In a public statement, Hampton by Hilton maintained it has “zero tolerance for racism or discrimination of any kind.” It also said that after hearing about this incident, it moved quickly to investigate the matter and apologized directly to the guest. The company added it wanted to make the situation right and that it remained 'in contact with the hotel’s ownership about follow-up actions, and to ensure that in the future, their employees reflect the best values of our brand and are welcoming of all.'”
Zero Tolerance
In a statement to USA Today, the Global Head of Hampton by Hilton, Shruti Gandhi Buckley, revealed, “The team member is no longer employed at the hotel.”
Stories like these aren’t rare, but hopefully, with companies like Hampton by Hilton taking a strong stance against this kind of employee behavior, they eventually will be. Sadly, Williams-Wright had to go through this in the first place, but sharing her story hopefully opens more people’s eyes to the need for change.
In our own lives, this story reminds us to speak out when we see an injustice and to stand by anyone who is treated differently. There is strength in numbers and power in communities to affect change, but first, we must use our voices and band together to achieve it.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.