Discount store removes 'Aboriginal' figurines after social media backlash

The Hot Bargain shop was selling ornaments showing Indigenous men holding didgeridoos and boomerangs.

Hot Bargain

The "Australian Aboriginals" figurines were photographed for sale at a Hot Bargain discount store. Source: Luke Pearson/Twitter

A discount variety store has removed figurines labelled "Australian Aboriginals" from public display in response to accusations of racism on social media.

The ornaments, which are made in China, were being sold for $3 each at the Hot Bargain shop in Lake Haven Shopping Centre on the NSW Central Coast.

A photo of the products was by Luke Pearson, the founder and editor of the IndigenousX website.

He used a caption describing it as the “perfect gift” for white people “who ‘love Aboriginal culture’ but would rather not interact with us in real life.”

Dozens of people responded to the post, with many describing the figurines as “racist” or as an example of “cultural appropriation”.

“That’s racist, vile and offensive,” wrote one person.

“Who the hell buys them?” asked another.

A shop manager told NITV that the products had since been removed from shelves.

The store’s parent company, Malmar Enterprises, has been contacted for comment.

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1 min read
Published 13 December 2018 3:15pm
Updated 13 December 2018 8:24pm
By NITV Staff Writer
Source: NITV News


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