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SCMP Reporter

Q What do you think of Izzue's Nazi-themed fashion line?

(Note: On Tuesday, izzue.com announced that it was removing the clothing line from its shelves. However, the firm's handling of the controversy continues to provoke strong responses from readers. Here are some of them)

The line by Izzue that 'it is simply the creative work of a very politically ignorant and insensitive designer' will not do. From inception of the idea until the items of clothing hit the stores, this line of 'creative work' would have had to be  approved  by many levels of management.

Just how many politically ignorant and insensitive people work at this company? The most worrying aspect of this story is that this company sheds its responsibilities towards the youth that will be wearing these items. They say that, chances are, none of the young people who buy their clothes know anything about Nazism.

These kids could well find themselves walking around other parts of the world where citizens will take issue with them wearing clothes bearing the Nazi insignia. Their clothes will make them walking targets for verbal, if not physical, abuse.

David Yip, Central

I am outraged by remarks made by Deborah Cheng, marketing manager of Izzue, that 'Chinese do not have such strong feelings about these issues as the Germans and Jews'.

Ms Cheng does not represent the Chinese people. I, for one, am outraged by the company's immoral and simply bad taste. Who in their right mind would glamorise Nazism when their symbols represent pure evil?

N.C. Chan, Mid-Levels

I could not believe my eyes when I read the ignorant response from Izzue  to the public outrage about its Nazi theme in its 14 stores.

'If you grab 10 young people from the street and ask them if they know what Nazism is, I bet you none of them would answer 'yes',' said Deborah Cheng, the firm's marketing manager. Well, being one of those Hong Kong young people, I am sorry to inform Miss Cheng that I know what Nazism is. And Miss Cheng, I just want to remind you that your personal ignorance doesn't represent the view of  all Hong Kong youth.

If you are really not sure about the seriousness of the issue, please go to the library or go online and look at the bloody history of what Hitler's Nazi regime did to the Jews before you talk so irresponsibly and shamelessly.

As a marketing manager, how could you not have known about the clothing's design before it was launched to the public? Simply passing the responsibility on to an 'ignorant and insensitive designer' is not the way to solve the issue. Telling people not to be so sensitive about the issue is not a proper response, especially to the Jewish and German communities. Your company owes it to them.

Furthermore, as a local Chinese, I have strong feelings about these issues. Miss Cheng, please don't make yourself a representative of the whole Chinese community or try to imply that we, Hong Kong's young generation,  don't have any sense of international issues. Ignorant and irresponsible people like you and your company don't have the right to speak for us.

I feel ashamed of this Chinese-run clothing chain as well as the arrogant response of its marketing team and its marketing manager.

Rico Lin Wai-kiu, Kwai Chung

I cannot believe that in 2003, Izzue could think of selling Nazi-emblazoned merchandise. I am disgusted. Do they know what Nazism means? Do they know what the Nazis did? With  terrorism so ripe and rampant, why do you have to bring back to the Hong Kong public the era of the Nazis? Shame on you, Izzue.

Name and address supplied

Q Do women workers receive fair treatment in Hong Kong?

It is a fact that women are not fairly treated by their employers and colleagues, and even their husbands. This situation is quite difficult to change for several  reasons.

Employers generally doubt women's abilities and sincerity. Usually women give  the impression of being a housewife or a kind mother rather than a construction worker or an ambitious businessperson.  It is doubtful whether women who are taking care of their children or elderly relatives are willing to  put all their time and effort into a paid job. These factors certainly affect the possibility of them getting better jobs or higher pay.

However, discrimination decades ago also plays a part. In the 1960s and 1970s, many girls were not able to go to school. The largest proportion of secondary school and university graduates were men. As a result, men in their 40s or 50s are the dominant professionals.

It is not an easy task to institute equal opportunities. But the government should nevertheless promote the concept of equality. All kinds of jobs should be open to both sexes. Only then can the situation improve.

Kenneth She Chun-chi, Tsing Yi

Q Should cameras monitor hygiene black spots?

The use of cameras would be to improve Hong Kong's environment and people's health. Health is wealth. Therefore, CCTV surveillance is necessary.

Some people claim that this would invade personal privacy. If someone takes pictures of an individual on the street, would he offend privacy laws? The answer is definitely no. Any other answer would undermine press freedom.

It is also said that the efficiency of CCTV surveillance is very low, and the costs high. But we should remind ourselves that health is invaluable.

Patrick Ng Fo-chun, Tsuen Wan



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