Just when you thought April 1 2016 would quietly fizzle out in a disappointing stream of fake engagement announcements and low-key workplace pranks, the official Republic of Nauru Twitter account brought us something dark and fascinatingly tone deaf.Earlier this morning, whoever runs the island's Twitter account cheerfully posted this April Fools' prank.
Other users were quick to highlight how this might be in bad taste for an island whose economy relies ostensibly on the indefinite detainment of refugees for Australia.
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Nauru has endured an essentially untold history of near-constant colonial exploitation, especially from the likes of Australia. So while it's worth remembering the island serves as the location of a detention centre, it wasn't their idea. Still, the Olympics tweet does come across as a little naive.Undeterred by criticism, the Republic of Nauru posted several upbeat follow ups, imploring joysucking Twitter users to cheer up and see the funny side.
So what can we learn from this? Maybe it's that even islands that run detention camps are allowed to have a laugh every now and then. The social media expert that runs Nauru's account is certainly adamant that the island will not be defined by its critics, haters, or routine human rights abuses.Whether you buy that or not, it's definitely one of the most depressing and disappointing 2016 April Fools' Day pranks so far.Follow Kat on Twitter.
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Nauru has endured an essentially untold history of near-constant colonial exploitation, especially from the likes of Australia. So while it's worth remembering the island serves as the location of a detention centre, it wasn't their idea. Still, the Olympics tweet does come across as a little naive.Undeterred by criticism, the Republic of Nauru posted several upbeat follow ups, imploring joysucking Twitter users to cheer up and see the funny side.
So what can we learn from this? Maybe it's that even islands that run detention camps are allowed to have a laugh every now and then. The social media expert that runs Nauru's account is certainly adamant that the island will not be defined by its critics, haters, or routine human rights abuses.Whether you buy that or not, it's definitely one of the most depressing and disappointing 2016 April Fools' Day pranks so far.Follow Kat on Twitter.