The National Association of Afro-Swedes calls for the resignation of Culture Minister Lena Adelsohn-Lijeroth. This is because she, according to the association, participated in a "tasteless racist manifestation."

They refer to when Adelsohn-Lijieroth at the celebration of World Art Day April 15 cut up a cake portraying a naked black woman. According to Afro Swedes' Association the cake represented a racist caricature of a black woman. According to the Modern Museum, the intention was to problematise female circumcision.

- To say that you did this with good intention only amplifies the mockery of people who suffer from racism and against women who are victims of circumcision, says Kitimbwa Sabuni, who is spokesperson for The National Association of Afro-Swedes.

- One cannot see how it benefits those people to degrade them in this way with racist caricatures in this kind of mocking spectacle, says Kitimbwa Sabuni.

The National Association of Afro-Swedes demands that the Culture Minister resigns.

- The confidence for her is exhausted. It is such a serious infraction. She as a minister must have sense and must be able to say enough is enough and not participate in this as a representative of the Swedish Government, he said.

We will seek clarification from the Prime Minister, says Kitimbwa Sabuni.

Lena Adelsohn-Liljeroth understands the reactions.

- I understand very well that this provokes, and it was a very bizarre situation. I was invited to speak at World Art Day on artistic freedom and the right to provoke. And then they wanted me to cut up a cake first, she said.

The National Association of Afro-Swedes believes it was a racist caricature of the woman.

- if so, then they have to turn to the artist, I do not review art, but I can very well understand that the whole situation can be misinterpreted.

But you still cut the cake?

- In any case, everyone did, but it was perhaps a bit of a shocking situation and that was also what the artist wanted to achieve I suppose. He claims that it challenges a romantic and exotifying approach from the West at what is really about violence and racism. That's what I have learned about the artwork afterwards. The art must be allowed to be provocative, says Lena Adelsohn-Liljeroth.

TT

Source: www.dn.se http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/afrosvenskar-kraver-ministeravgang