Aussie Backpackers' hostel accused of racism

[kingwilly]

this is just plain terrible, feeble excuse.

Backpackers' hostel accused of racism


Article from: AAP
March 11, 2008 12:30am

THE Royal Life Saving Society Australia has accused an Alice Springs backpackers' hotel of racism after it kicked out a group of indigenous guests.
The Aborigines from a remote community taking lifesaving classes in the central Australian town were allegedly asked to leave the Haven Hostel after checking in because of complaints by other guests, ABC Television reported tonight.
The hostel's management later said the mostly young leaders' program members from Yuendumu were not allowed to stay because the hostel catered specifically for international backpacking tourists.
But society chief executive Rob Bradley said the hostel was guilty of "pure racism".
"It was a very feeble excuse about a complaint having been made but looking into that, there was no compliant, there was no reason, it was just pure racism," Mr Bradley said on ABC Television.
"(There's) total shock and dismay that something like this can happen in Australia today.
"It was just an absolute disgrace."
The group of mostly women were taking the classes in preparation for the opening of a swimming pool in Yuendumu, located about 300km northwest of Alice Springs.
"They said that it was because of the colour of our skin and they didn't like us," group member Bethany Langdon said of the hostel management.
Fellow member Sharelle Young said: "They should apologise to us face-to-face and just say sorry".
The Haven Hostel released a statement saying: "Haven Hostel is a backpackers' hostel catering for international backpacking tourists, which the group was not".
"So (alternative) accommodation was sought and arranged with their consultation, on their behalf. We also offered to pay for that night's accommodation."
The group found another place to stay in Alice Springs to complete the training, the report said.

[terry57]

Well,

It don't look good does it and I've just been watching the story on Telli.

Trouble is,

If you've ever been to Alice Springs you would know straight up why they turned these people away and it was a shame that they were a good lot there only to learn to Life Save.

Another case of good people being caught up in the majority of drunken aboriginals that run amok in Alice Springs.

You might think thats unfair but unless you have seen these problems in that town you could never imagine how bad they are and I shit you not.

Anyway, I hope these people qualify as life guards and good on them for making an effort.

[Mid]

ninemsn.com.au

Vote: Was it racist to ban Aboriginal students from a hostel?

Yes :211510
No :33033

ninemsn.com.au

[kingwilly]

If you've ever been to Alice Springs you would know straight up why they turned these people away and it was a shame that they were a good lot there only to learn to Life Save. Another case of good people being caught up in the majority of drunken aboriginals that run amok in Alice Springs.

but they were not thrown out for doing anything wrong.

You might think thats unfair but unless you have seen these problems in that town you could never imagine how bad they are and I shit you not.

not denying that, but they were thrown out for being black!

Anyway, I hope these people qualify as life guards and good on them for making an effort.

why are they gonna bother now! ?

[William]

not denying that, but they were thrown out for being black!

I doubt that's entirely true. I bet if they had been black Americans with a bit of dosh in their pocket, it might have been a different story.

Nope, I bet the colour of their skin had less to do with it than the culture they derive from.

And I'm not saying that's right.

[kingwilly]

^ ok yes, slightly pendantic but correct.

thrown out for being black Australians (or Aboriginals)

[William]

^I know a half-caste Abo here in Sydney who gets thrown out the pub every time I'm there. It's not because he is black, white, or coloured. I'm not even sure it's because he's an abo. I'd say it's because he's seen as being bad news.

[kingwilly]

I'd say it's because he's seen as being bad news.

is it because the pub knows him, and the guy is bad news?

then not about the colour of his skin, is it.

but if they have never met or seen him before, and he is not acting in a bad manner, then it most certainly has to come down to discrimination.

[chinthee]

not denying that, but they were thrown out for being black!

I doubt that's entirely true. I bet if they had been black Americans with a bit of dosh in their pocket, it might have been a different story.

Nope, I bet the colour of their skin had less to do with it than the culture they derive from.

AND, I'll bet there are quite a few black Americans who go through those parts who work at Pine Gap, though they are all probably well dressed and educated. Yes, probably a cultural + colour issue, rather than colour issue alone.

[kingwilly]

Yes, probably a cultural + colour issue, rather than colour issue alone.

your quibbling fella's

if someone is excluded from somewhere on the basis of their race (Aboriginal is a race, not just a culture)

then it is racism.

[nedwalk]

what a lot of people don,t know is they throw out white,s too, i,m one of them apperently cause i was a local i was not permitted to be there, all i was doing was having a little drink with some of the yummy back packers..racist bastards! i,m white where,s my rights!

[William]

I'd say it's because he's seen as being bad news.

is it because the pub knows him, and the guy is bad news?

then not about the colour of his skin, is it.

but if they have never met or seen him before, and he is not acting in a bad manner, then it most certainly has to come down to discrimination.

And you're telling me:

(a) you've never been discriminated against before?
(b) you'd never discriminate against another?

[kingwilly]

^ beside the point.

these buggers kicked a bunch of kids out of the resort because they were Aboriginal.

[William]

^agreed mate. Doubt you'll get much argument on that front.

[mad_dog]

Australia is another good example of us modern anglo saxons carrying out a systematic genocide of the native population of a territory we have colonized. But lets demonize Muslims and forget our own shameful history.

[Texpat]

Ummmm Ok!

Isn't there some kind of anti-discrimintory lawsuit they could file to sue the pants off the resort?

[jizzybloke]

But lets demonize Muslims and forget our own shameful history.

Sounds like a good plan!

[kingwilly]

another good example of us modern anglo saxons carrying out a systematic genocide of the native population of a territory we have colonized.

hmmm, slightly exaggerated matey.

Isn't there some kind of anti-discrimintory lawsuit they could file to sue the pants off the resort?

yep, in the works, the resort is backpedaling quickly now.

[terry57]

what a lot of people don,t know is they throw out white,s too, i,m one of them apperently cause i was a local i was not permitted to be there, all i was doing was having a little drink with some of the yummy back packers..racist bastards! i,m white where,s my rights!

Most backpackers have a policy of overseas backpackers only and what happened to Ned is NOT unusual.

But lets face facts here, If the aboriginals of Alice Springs didn't cause so much trouble this shite would never happen.

Willy always like to take the high ground when we discuss the problems of the Aborigines but will never face the fact that they have bought it upon themselves and I ask Willy if he has ever been to Alice Springs. ?

We could talk about the Todd River eh Willy but we don't want to go there do we.?


Its not acceptable that this group were discriminated against but its entirely understandable why it happened, I feel its time you should realized that fact and stop continually blaming white people for the aboriginal problem.

[kingwilly]

Most backpackers have a policy of overseas backpackers only and what happened to Ned is NOT unusual.

no they do not, non-backapcker white ppl have no problems.

But lets face facts here, If the aboriginals of Alice Springs didn't cause so much trouble this shite would never happen.

so lets bar ALL aboriginals then, aint that wot Racism is?

barring them because they are Aboriginal ?

and I ask Willy if he has ever been to Alice Springs. ?

erm, yes, i also been to Tennant creek.

[good2bhappy]

maybe he is an Abo h'self?

[terry57]

^

I don't think so as he has a job but I'm sure he has some affiliation with the Aboriginals because he uses the name King Willy.

Here is the history of that name.

King Willy was the last living full blood aboriginal left alive in Tasmania after the white man declared open season and exterminated them from the Island.

His correct name was William Lane and when he died his body was dismembered for souvenirs and science.

You can Google up the book " Echo of King Willy " and read the history.


Would I be close on how your user name came about king. ?


Anyway back to business,

If you have been to Alice Springs and Tennent Creek you surely must be able to understand how a Back Packers would not want to have Aboriginals in there hostel and to not be able to see this is simply being irrational and unreasonable .

I would safely say that if a you owned the said hostel in Alice Springs and a mob of aboriginals rocked up you as well would be very concerned as any reasonable person would be.

You continue to debate in the face of common sense and it makes no logic what so ever to a person who has experienced the aboriginal problem first hand.

You would hold an audience with inexperienced people and that is understandable but to the average Australian your debate is mute.

Concerning international backpackers only being allowed in, this is the norm in Perth but I cant say for sure whether this is the case in other states or places.

[kingwilly]

^ mate, for a starters a green for being somewhat more inventive with my name rather than some of the other luddites round these parts that often assume it has something to do with my genitals.

I'm beginning to think you might actually be more intelligent than you let on.

however, not still not correct.

You would hold an audience with inexperienced people and that is understandable but to the average bigoted Australian your debate is mute.

yeah i guess so, that was the target group that Pauline Hanson appealed to as well...

[Gallowspole]

Perhaps the hostel was being smellist rather than racist.

[Texpat]

Why didn't they just smile and say, "Sorry, we're full."