Accusation of racism against Leipzig’s Garage Ost”: Criticism after Instagram post!

Accusation of racism against Leipzig’s Garage Ost”: Criticism after Instagram post!

The “Garage Ost” in Leipzig is in the crossfire of criticism due to a recent Instagram post. The article discussed the financial distress of the garage and possible offers to buy the building, but implied that it needed to be saved to avoid being replaced by shisha bars or vegetable shops. This formulation was perceived by many users as a reinforcing expression of racist stereotypes that reveal a rejection of shisha bar visitors, reports LVZ.

The reactions to the post were intense. After “Garage Ost” quickly deleted the criticized post, numerous negative comments emerged. An employee responsible for the post eventually issued a public apology. She explained that it was not her intention to create racist stereotypes. Rather, the mention of shisha bars and vegetable shops was based on specific offers to purchase the building and was not intended as a general devaluation of these establishments.

Criticism of the depiction of shisha bars

To further understand the situation, a look at the experiences of shisha bar owners in Germany can help. Mohammad Hallak, the owner of Café Infiniti in Berlin, is also confronted with the prejudice and stigma that often comes with shisha bars. After the attack in Hanau, he emphasized that racism is a serious problem in Germany. Hallak also criticized the authorities for their failure to deal with hatred and racism, as well as negative reporting on refugees and criminal clans. Such discourses can easily distort the image of shisha bars and their guests, which is reflected in the case of “Garage Ost”. Time reported.

Hallak, who himself comes from Palestine and has lived in Germany for more than two decades, took over the café in 2010 and converted it into a shisha bar. He emphasizes that many guests are Muslims who are not allowed to drink alcohol, which is why shisha bars offer an attractive alternative for them. Still, owners like Hallak report raids and checks by police that often yield no significant results. This contributes to a polluted image, which has a negative impact on business and distorts the image of such establishments in society.

According to its employee, the “Garage Ost” aims to create a safe space for women and LGBTQ+ people. However, the discussion surrounding the Instagram post made it clear how closely the issues of racism and discrimination are intertwined. In this case, complex issues such as the protection of discriminated groups and the challenges arising from various forms of oppression were also able to come into focus.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the public debate about racism and stereotypes in Germany is still urgently needed. The reactions to the incident in the “Garage Ost” illustrate how important sensitive and responsible communication is in order to avoid misunderstandings and create an environment for everyone.