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At an exhibition in 2018, some students from the Brown Island artist group suggested that the Konstfack White Sea exhibition space should change its name. The proposal then became one of several stages in the school’s work against racism and was discussed in committees and councils. Certainly the name White Sea cannot be linked to racist thinking at all, but there was a lack of interest in its origins and the discussions were marked by a lack of history. One teacher even seriously suggested a change in the Brown Sea. The moral of the moment: we must not forget to look in the rear-view mirror when we look ahead.
In a good collegiate spirit, I was open that I intended to write on the subject because it had a principled scope far beyond Konstfack’s walls: where does the “limit” really go for what can be construed as racist? That was the point. Many perceived it as essential, but not all. The article resulted in a collection of names among employees who were apparently uncomfortable with the debate. Call it bullying, witch hunting, or nasty herd behavior. The numbers 44 to 1 speak a clear language.
Read more. Lars Strannegård: Brown Islands’ desire for debate is exactly what a university needs
What suggestions should taken seriously in the name of anti-racism, of course, can be disputed and a state authority like Konstfack must be open to the public. A debate post that comes across a collection of names, on the other hand, is brutally contrary to the values of the university.
The impact of the article in newspapers, radio, television and social networks testifies that the issue is directly related to and penetrates the present, is urgent and has principles. Some warn of the uncritical importation of American identity politics that runs the risk of strengthening racism rather than combating it. Others point out that the recruitment of social and class prejudices is ignored. The issue has its own dynamic and the debate has taken different directions. My views have been supported and widely supported on the right-left scale of the political spectrum. However, there are exceptions.
The voice from the liars’ podium claims that I am a reactionary and accuses me of abuse of power without whispering the actual conditions.
Master Erik Berggren is convinced that it has seen the light (DN 21/2). Despite the fact that Berggren has not attended meetings and meetings, imagine that the subject of the name is a trifle and that the members of Brown Island are still students. No one in the school administration seems to know who they are, but the representatives of the group who have spoken are former students. Where Berggren’s knowledge runs out, phrases and cliches take over. The voice from the liars’ stand asserts that I am a reactionary and accuses me of abuse of power without whispering the actual conditions. Red card immediately.
Lars Strannegård also dismisses the discussion about the name change as a trifle taken out of context, thinks Brown Island is a student, and lightly praises Konstfack’s open debate culture (DN 26/2). Open to whom? The collection of names testifies to the contrary. Many of the teachers at the school obviously do not understand that freedom of expression is sacred. The treatment may rather give historical associations to workplaces in former Eastern Europe where employees were “allowed” to vote on whether people who expressed dissenting views on the regime should be able to continue working.
Read more. Rasmus Landström: That is why the debate on racism gets bogged down in constant symbolic struggles
Now Brown Island he apparently acknowledged that the name White Sea is not itself racist. It goes anyway. That the subject of the name is still considered central is clear from the proposal recently developed by a working group in Konstfack, which also proposes a ritual event in connection with the name change crowned with a bronze plaque. Such proposals run the risk of ridiculing rather important anti-racist work: overthrowing rather than helping.
The debate over the White Sea is typical of the time. It seems that we live in a society of intellectual risk where emotions, experiences and anxiety tend to overcome knowledge, reflections and common sense. The feeling runs faster than the thought. Everyone nods their heads in fear of being branded a racist, and it is perceived as a challenge when someone goes against the grain and refers to real conditions.
Read more:
The debate on the University of the Arts: they are trivializing an anti-racist struggle
Sara Kristoffersson: No, the White Sea in Konstfack has nothing to do with racism
Brown Island: Sara Kristoffersson rules out complex dialogue taking place in Konstfack
Sara Kristoffersson: To find racism, Brown Island abandons reality
Konstfack rector after White Sea debate: “We will tackle this”
