Backpackers fume at sexist Nazi artwork
By Matt Cunningham
February 09, 2008 12:00am
Article from: Northern Territory News
A NORTHERN Territory hostel displaying posters of Nazi soldiers degrading women has been accused of lacking moral judgment.
But the hostel's owner says the pictures are simply art, and are not intended to offend.
Two female Israeli backpackers were disgusted after seeing the posters on the walls in the men's toilets at Annie's Place backpackers in Alice Springs.
They made a report to the B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission which is considering further action against the hostel.
The commission's executive officer, Manny Waks, said the posters were offensive. "We deplore this kind of behaviour," he said.
"Posters of the degradation of women for sexual pleasure by men wearing Nazi uniforms is highly inappropriate and offensive to all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis.
"It is also a poor reflection on the person responsible for the posters - it demonstrates their disrespect for women and their lack of any moral judgment."
Mr Waks said one of the Israeli backpackers had complained to the hostel's owner, Matt Mulga, and asked that the posters be taken down.
"He told her that it was his fetish and if she doesn't like it she doesn't have to look," he said. Mr Mulga admitted the pictures were "a bit out there", but said they were not intended to offend.
"As I said to the girls, it's part of an art scene and they chose to dwell on it," he said.
"I said to them 'You shouldn't have been in the boys' toilets anyway'."
Mr Mulga said the hostel had pictures of many controversial historical figures including Joseph Stalin and Chairman Mao Zedong.
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