Promoters for a hipster bar in Brooklyn sent out fliers for an “Oriental”-themed party, urging bar-goers to wear costumes mimicking 19th century Chinese slaves — a move critics blasted as racist.
The Red Lotus Room’s invitation for this Saturday’s bash “Madam Wu’s Good Luck Banquet of the Senses” tells attendees to wear “silk pajamas” and “coolie couture,” Jezebel.com reports.
But critics point out “coolies” were Chinese manual laborers, some of whom were sold as slaves – an idea that doesn’t exactly make folks feel like partying.
“[It’s] culturally insensitive bulls–t,” wrote one blogger for the website Angry Asian Man.
“It’s an excuse for ignorant, misguided people to get their Orientalist thrills for the night.”
The invitation notes the party will also feature, “open sesame noodles,” “ancient Chinese secrets,” “dragon dancing” and “much, much more!”
Bar-goers took to the event’s Facebook page to slam promoters.
“You’re seriously telling people to come in coolie couture? Many coolies were first deceived or kidnapped and then kept in barracoons,” another critic wrote.
Organizers responded by issuing an apology then yanking down its events page.
“We are taking back our event page now. We have let this conversation roll in the interest of free speech and because the nature of racism is, we think, a good topic but as things have disintegrated completely into name calling, we think it’s best to put the brakes on,” a promoter wrote.
“By the way, have already apologized two days ago,” the promoter added.
The invitation features an image of an Asian woman laying down and tells club kids to get ready for a “Ride on the Orient Express.”
Promoters edited the invitation after it sparked outrage.
The venue is located in Crown Heights, features a stage and can hold 6,000 patrons. An owner of the bar could not be reached by press time for comment.