For some, fear is a turn on. The internet is loaded with graphic sexual material related to hardcore intercourse, home invasions, and even sexual predators. While there is a demand for such content, there is an unspoken line of appropriateness for it (however thin the line may be). In Tel Aviv, this line has been crossed. A party organizer has released advertisements that feature an over-sexualized representation of the international terrorist organization, ISIS.
According to Buzzfeed, Drek, a popular organizer of gay parties in Tel Aviv, Israel, incorporated images associated with ISIS execution videos in his recent ads for an upcoming social event. The photos include a man that is seated wearing an orange jumpsuit, almost identical to those worn in ISIS’ gruesome execution videos. Standing above the man is another man, who is scantily-clad and placing his hand on the jumpsuit man’s shoulder. In a second photo, a muscular man in nothing but tight briefs is waving a flag next to text that reads, “Drekistan at the Haoman,” promoting the party and its hosting club.
The party’s planner told Ynetnews, an Israeli news source, that he was only staying current. “We are trying to react to current events,” said Drek. “We have been doing it for a number of years, but we reject violence in any form and that includes the (execution) videos intended to scare the world.” This is where Drek crosses the line—placing an artfully sculpted man in the same orange jumpsuit is no more tasteful than Urban Outfitter’s recent Kent State blood-splattered sweaters (or literally anything that Urban Outfitters has ever done). What Drek has done is placed a sense of sexuality and nonchalance on a global conflict.
There is a significant difference between staying culturally relevant and being disrespectful or tasteless. Drek’s advertisements are a mockery, and downplay the sum of one of the world’s greatest fears. Above all, the photographs sexualize terrorism, turning a commonly held and incredibly real nightmare into a target of sexual fantasy. Americans are no longer afforded the luxury of feeling safe. Israelis do not feel safe. Palestinians do not feel safe. The world does not feel safe—terrorism is a threat that affects all nations, and the solution to this problem is not boner-inducing photographs plastered across the internet.
“I personally believe it is both disgusting and obviously very tasteless,” said Brian, a senior advertising and public relations major who asked to only be identified by his first name. “I believe it is also insensitive to the family of Steven Sotloff who holds Israeli citizenship.”
Israeli’s have taken to Drek’s Facebook page to report their disgust with the advertisements. The comments section beneath the photos are flooding with statements such as “sick,” “tasteless,” and “disgusting.” Many believe that the images reflect a negative light on their country, and that it is an inappropriate attempt at making light of a major crisis.
Citizens of Israel aren’t the only individuals affected by the negative images. The gay community suffers from poor representation and negative reflection. It is a common misconception that gays tend to over-sexualize every single aspect of life, turning comments into sex puns and finding the most vulgar way to describe any feeling, person, place, etc. If we are to steer away from the concept of only being able to describe emotions in relation to sexual feelings (e.g. “Oh my god, this brunch is like an orgasm in my mouth”) then we as a group cannot afford to have someone creating wet dreams out of symbols of brutality.
“Drek’s comments about staying culturally relevant aren’t true,” said Connor West, a junior writing major at UT. “It’s simply an excuse to get around the fact that he has no respect for the victims of the incident.”
Drek’s focus on tragedy is similar to a recent incident in America, in which the Boston Bomber was placed on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. The presence of this criminal and terrorist on the front page of a popular magazine led many to argue that Rolling Stone was casting a sense of celebrity upon the Bomber, leaving his image in the position previously held by popular musicians and other celebrities. This act by Rolling Stone also glorified a national tragedy, and focused more significantly on the terrorist’s identity than on the destruction he created.
Citizens of the world today are obsessed with negativity. As said in television, “if it bleeds, it leads.” As a result, news stations cover murders, robberies and other acts of crime more intensely than positive news stories. Television show after television show centers on deranged serial killers, cops taking down rapists and crime lords, and specialists analyzing what it is that makes a psychopath. It is with this information that it is almost plausible that Drek believed himself to be “culturally relevant” rather than sick– almost.
What our television shows and movies understand, that Drek does not, is that there is a line of appropriateness within the media. We do not make jokes about 9/11, and any visual arts associated with it are both tasteful and respectful. What the party’s advertisements do not understand are two very important elements: 1. There is very much such thing as “too soon.” While the wounds from ISIS are still fresh and still looming, it is not appropriate to represent them in any fashion other than respect, and 2. There is nothing sexy about murder.
There is such a thing as too far. Drek should be apologizing for his actions rather than defending his case with “cultural relevance.” There is a difference between referencing pop culture and representing terrorism. With what our and other countries have fought against to defend themselves from its constant threats, terrorism belongs on our minds but never in our bedrooms.
Terry Preston can be reached at terrence.preston@spartans.ut.edu