Would like to ask your permission to post this text about something that concerns me a great deal, about the effect it might have on Norwegian society. Me being a minority in Oslo, married to a Senegalese man, and children who have Senegalese heritage, I want to oppose to to this art project that is set to happen in Oslo. Thanks for your attention! I wanna take a minute (or ten), to acknowledge something that is happening in Oslo. There has been some debate, heated and sometimes ugly, about a so called art project that is set to take place in our city. The Kongovillage. For those who doesnt know what it is, shortly, its a re-enactment of the same set up 100 years ago in Oslo, that wanted to represent a real African village. Senegalese were brought here to be exhibited for the Norwegian public to see, as primitive, authentic and exotic. For those with basic knowledge, know that Kongo and Senegal are two different countries in Africa. I could go on to criticize the project, but it would take to long. Again, anybody with more than a few brain cells understands the stigma, racist effect and total horror it brings to make a human zoo. (Please ask me for links for those who are interested in having more detailed info). Now, there are two artist who want to re-enact the same village. From the artist side, they claim that this is necessary to address racism, to challenge the Norwegian goodness, to learn from the past. Im not buying it. I refuse to support something that might have a negative effect in the society that I live in, that will most likely affect my children in a negative way, will affect my husband, and affect dark minorities in this country. Cause, who are we kidding here? Do we need to challenge anything by degrading a whole group of people? Can we learn from the past without creating a human zoo? This society is rotten with racism, discrimination and the acceptance for the above. Im not willing to play try and fail with the lives of people in our society! Im not willing to have my children laughed at, my husband ridiculed or the increased sense of allowance to be racist and get away with it. Im just not!! Theres has been a discussion between the artist and the opposition on TV few days ago, the opposition showed their raw anger towards the whole project, and now theyre being crucified for it. I wanna thank them, for having the balls to stand up for the ones who cant oppose, our kids. I asked my two oldest kids what they thought of The Kongovillage, they frowned and said: Its like a zoo! Would white people allow themselves to be shown like that in Africa? I dont like it, its not nice How embarrassing, for the people being looked at, and embarrassing for me who looks like them My heart brakes! I urge everybody to take a step back and reflect the impact this art might have on our children, the impact it might have on our society. Do we want to be so socially un-conscious that we allow this type of human zoo in our modern society? I applaud those who are publicly speaking against this project, I thank you, I give you my support. Stand strong!!! Feel free to share this status, Im making it public, cause I think its THAT important.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 19:56:54 +0000
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