Wellington DJ Neill Andrews Sparks Outrage Over Racial Slur Against Indians
Wellington DJ Neill Andrews is under fire for posting a racial slur against Indians on Facebook. The Famous nightclub co-owner sparked outrage for saying that Indian customers on his club were predatory rapists.
“Just because we don’t let groups of creepy Indian rapists into the club doesn’t make us racist, they also don’t buy alcohol,” his Facebook post on December 30 had read. “Probably so they can be sober enough to tie up the sack and lift the body into the back of their hybrid taxi, while wearing oversized leather jackets and sports shoes.”
He had since deleted the offensive post from his Facebook account, but not before it was circulated and was met with either disdain or support.
Andrews claimed his post was intended to be an over-the-top joke, but he was serious with his message.
“I make fun of stereotypes and topics that are taboo because it’s important that we do talk about these things,” he told Herald on Sunday.
“Yes I’m over the top in the way I do it at times, but it gets the issue and message out there. I certainly didn’t want to offend a whole race of human beings and for this I am extremely regretful.”
Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy was disgusted with Andrews, urging people to boycott his nightclub.
“I know that the post has been removed and I’m pleased that he’s expressed some remorse, but I see a lot of things in my job and that did really appal me,” she said.
Andrews’ racial slur also prompted the country’s largest bank, ANZ, not to hire him anymore. The bank had hired the DJ for its company parties, but spokesman Stefan Herrick said they would not hire him in the future anymore.
Apparently, Andrews couldn’t care less that he had one big client down, saying that the last ANZ function was boring.
He also wasn’t moved by Dame Susan’s speech, telling the paper that she “should probably just stick to hitting a plastic ball around a squash court.”
As for the backlash of his comment, the DJ doesn’t appear to be really worried because he predicted that his club is “going to be as popular, or more popular, because unfortunately... it will be a place where people go out of interest to meet ‘the racist.’”
To make up for his slur, he would meet a local community leader on Wednesday to clarify his position, Herald on Sunday reported. He has also planned to stage an Indian-themed event at his club soon.