‘Hitler’ Drinking game causes outrage

Students from Huddersfield University have caused anger and controversy with a drinking game they created a group for on Facebook.

The game known simply as ‘The Hitler Drinking Game’ consists of laying a deck of cards into the shape of a Swastika and turning them over to reveal the face of each card and then drinking an associated spirit. The reported creators of the game which appears to be based on the retro drinking game ‘Kings Cup’; Nicholas Rowley and Anthony Pike have incurred a wave of criticism since their group came to public attention with RAF veteran Alistair Harris from Gloucestershire, saying: “It’s a disgrace. There’s no other way to describe it.” Retired Wing Commander Mr Harris, 87, who served with the RAF from 1941 to 1976, is quoted by Sky News as stating that “These people studying at universities are meant to be the future of our country, what hope do we have? Many of them will have grandparents and great-grandparents who fought and died protecting this country from the Nazis. It’s diabolical.”

There have also been complaints from Michael Barrie, former chairman of the Holocaust Survivors Associations, who Sky News quoted as saying “It is horrifying any amusement of game can be associated with an event that saw around 11 million people killed.”

On the groups facebook page and subsequent facebook page created by a Rik Jones has sparked a large debate with a range of views from people from the appalled to those suporting the game and attempting to emphasise their view that the game does not attend to offend. Group administrators have taken steps to quell the anger from public and relative groups by stating on the groups page that the game is not supporting the Nazi or Neo-Nazi regime and does not mean to cause offence. However, it could be easily argued that a game whose identity is in any way referenced with the Nazi’s, The Holocaust and Hitler is going to create strong feelings and anger as seen in previous events such as when Prince Harry was pictured wearing a Nazi Uniform to an event a few years ago.

Huddersfield University is intending to take measures to investgate into the group, its creators and the game with Professor Peter Slee, deputy vice-chancellor at Huddersfield University, quoted by Sky News as saying “We are shocked to hear about this game and extremely disturbed at the allegations that students at this university have been taking part in it. We will be investigating these allegations, which we take very seriously, and will take appropriate action once these investigations are complete.”

Perhaps the intent was not to cause offence, but it would seem either nieve or ignorant by the games creators and subsequent followers that the promotion of anything Nazi related, including a drinking game that ends with the individual who turns over the ‘Holocaust Card’ having to down a pint of spirits, wouldn’t create great offence to people. What do you think, is it a harmless game as some have argued or a serious insult? leave your comments below.

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