Racism by Swedish minister of culture, endorsed by culture elite
Wanneer: 00/00/0 - 00:00
The National Afro-Swedish Association has called for Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth to be sacked after she was pictured cutting the 'genital mutilation' cake
The sweet treat featured a black woman’s naked torso with the artist’s own head, painted black, at the top.
Once cut open, the cake sponge was red, depicting blood.
It is believed the art installation was intended to highlight the issue of female circumcision, as the minister first cut a slice of cake from the ‘clitoris’.
But the event was branded a “racist spectacle” by the National Afro-Swedish Association.
Spokesman Kitimbwa Sabuni told The Local: “In our view, this simply adds to the mockery of racism in Sweden.
“According to the Moderna Museet, the 'cake party' was meant to problematize female circumcision but how that is accomplished through a cake representing a racist caricature of a black woman complete with 'black face' is unclear.”
Sabuni added that the fact that the minister particiapted in the event, which he argued was also marked by "cannibalistic" overtones, betrays her "incompetence and lack of judgement".
In a statement, he added: “Her participation, as she laughs, drinks, and eats cake, merely adds to the insult against people who suffer from racist taunts and against women affected by circumcision.
“We have no confidence in her any longer.”
Speaking to the TT news agency, Liljeroth claimed she was sympathetic to the association’s reaction but defended her actions.
She reportedly said: “I understand quite well that this is provocative and that it was a rather bizarre situation.
"I was invited to speak at World Art Day about art's freedom and the right to provoke. And then they wanted me to cut the cake."
But the culture minister argued that the association’s anger should be directed at the artist, not her and claims the situation was “misinterpreted”.
However Sabuni said: “To participate in a racist manifestation masquerading as art is totally over the line and can only be interpreted as the culture minister supporting the Moderna Museet's racist prank.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/swedish-minister-of-culture-slam...