SWEDISH CULTURE MINISTER APOLOGIZES ABOUT THE RACIST FGM CAKE I HAVE THE LETTER ADDRESSED TO ME FROM HER DESK:)

On May 15th My UK sister Helen Marshal and I Lucy Mashua one month exactly after (FGM RACIST CAKE) the public humiliation to FGM survivors and Activists who work night and day to see the end of FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION and total insensitive to the victims who have died as a resutlt of it. We send by post a letter to the Swedish culture minister demanding an apology for her perticipation in the hurtful scenario April 15th

This morning I received this apology letter in my desk from her desk and I am content with the apology and ready to focus on my fight against FGM which is more important, Swedish minister of culture Lena Adelsohn it takes a bigger person to say "AM SORRY" , Apologies accepted.

Dear Ms Lucy. S. Mashua and Ms Helen Marshall, Thank you for your letter to the Minister for Culture regarding the events at the Museum of Modern Art on the 15th of April. It has been delegated upon me to answer. The Minister for Culture sincerely understands your concern in this matter, therefore it is important for her to explain her view on this issue. On the 15th of August of April the Minister for Culture was invited to the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm where the World Art Day took place and the Swedish Artists’ National Organization celebrated its 75th anniversary. The theme for the event was freedom of expression, the struggle against censorship and art´s freedom to challenge and provoke. Amongst other artists Makode Linde was invited to create a work of art in the form of a cake. As the opening speaker, the Minister for Culture was asked to cut a piece of Makode Linde’s creation. The actual purpose of World Art Day was to discuss and highlight the role of art in society. The Swedish national cultural policy assumes that culture shall be an independent force based on the freedom of expression. Art must therefore be allowed room to provoke and pose uncomfortable questions. As the Minister for Culture emphasised in her speech on World Art Day, it is therefore imperative that we defend freedom of expression and freedom of art – even when it causes offence. The Minister for Culture is the first to agree that Makode Linde’s piece is highly provocative since it deliberately reflects a racist stereotype and a deliberately grotesque caricature of genital mutilation. But the actual intent of the piece – and Makode Linde’s artistry – is to challenge the traditional image of racism, abuse and oppression through provocation. While the symbolism in the piece is despicable, it is unfortunate and highly regrettable that the presentation has been interpreted as an expression of racism. The artistic intent was the exact opposite. As Minister for Culture it is Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth’s responsibility to safeguard the conditions for and independence of art and culture. At the same time, it is also her job to uphold the democratic values that counter racism, gender inequality and intolerance. The Minister for Culture chose to open World Art Day to turn the spotlight on art and freedom of expression. The Swedish Artist’s National Organization chose in turn to highlight Makode Linde to bring attention to his anti-racist artistry. Through the ceremony, however, the Minister for Culture became personally involved in Makode Lindes highly provocative form of expression. It is perfectly obvious that her role as minister differs from that of the artist. Provocation cannot or should not be an expression for those who have the trust and responsibility of Government representative. She therefore feels it is her responsibility to clarify that she is sincerely sorry if anyone has misinterpreted her participation. The 18th of April 2012, a written apology was published in a nationwide newspaper as well as on the Swedish Government website. Yours sincerely, Emy Widén Desk Officer Ministry of Culture Emy Widén Departementssekreterare Enheten för konstarterna Kulturdepartementet SE-103 33 Stockholm Besöksadress: Drottninggatan 16 This is very encouraging people let us all move on and fight the real fight against FGM and not one another

,

Ambassador Lucy Mashua Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rightsGlobal Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)Leading the Worldwide Campaign Against FGMLobbying for HR 2221:The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. and S 1919 introduced by Senator Harry Reid,http://twitter.com/Mashuahttp://mashuavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

What do you stand for? ,Iknow Istand to see the end to see the end of FEMALE GENITITAL MUTILATION and ALL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN! Lucy Mashua

Ambassador Lucy Mashua Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rightsGlobal Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)Leading the Worldwide Campaign Against FGMLobbying for HR 2221:The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. and S 1919 introduced by Senator Harry Reid,http://twitter.com/Mashuahttp://mashuavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

FRENCH GOVERNMENT ALL THE BLOOD OF THE YOUNG GIRLS THAT HAVE BEEN MUTILATED IS IN YOUR HANDS YOU HAVE NOT CONVICTED ANY ONE CAUGHT ACTUALLY YOU GIVE THEM A WARNING ISTEAD OF JAILING THE BLOODY MUTILATORS? FRENCH GOVERNMENT YOU SUPPORT FGM? TELL THE WORLD WHY YOU HAVE NOT PROSECUTED ANY! LUCY MASHUA

FRENCH GOVERNMENT ALL THE BLOOD OF THE YOUNG GIRLS THAT HAVE BEEN MUTILATED IS IN YOUR HANDS YOU HAVE NOT CONVICTED ANY ONE CAUGHT ACTUALLY YOU GIVE THEM A WARNING ISTEAD OF JAILING THE BLOODY MUTILATORS? FRENCH GOVERNMENT YOU SUPPORT FGM? Couple who mutilated their four daughters in france to Face French Court ,I blame the French government who even after they caught the couple in 2005 they gave them a warning now the couple mutilated the two more remaining who nearly bled to death!,

A couple of Guinean origin who genitaly butcherd their four daughters under French government watch is to stand trial for female genital mutilation in France on Tuesday. Although they were put under control of court in 2005 when their two elder daughters were found to have undergone female genital mutilation, their two younger daughters were later found to have suffered the same fate. The couple, who came to France in the late 1980s, have been charged with complicity in violence, "having brought about the mutilation of a minor of less than 15 years old". They face up to 15 years in jail. Female genital mutilation, is traditional in about 30 African countries but illegal in France. The couple's two elder daughters were found to have been mutilated after one of them, then aged 14, was admitted to hospital for appendicitis in Nevers, central France. After at first denying any knowledge of genital butchering the father went on to mention a woman who might have practised it, while denying that he knew it was illegal in France and that he had agreed to it taking place. The couple were placed under judicial control, a form of parole. At the time the two younger girls had not been mutilated but they were found to have undergone mutilation in 2009 when hospital staff again notified the authorities after the youngest, then aged seven, was admitted with heavy bleeding from the vagina. Again the parents denied any knowledge and the girls refused to say what had happened. Their defence will "explain the reason why and the cultural context", rather than denying that the incident took place, their lawyer Guillaume Valat told the AFP news agency. "This case is a first in so far as the parents were warned in 2005 but did it again," lawyer Linda Weil-Curiel, acting for the Committee for the Abolition of Sexual Mutilation, said. About 40 vaginal mutilation cases have been taken to court in France AND NOT A SINGLE MUTILATOR HAVE BEEN CONVICTED, Ambassador Lucy Mashua Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rightsGlobal Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)Leading the Worldwide Campaign Against FGMLobbying for HR 2221:The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. and S 1919 introduced by Senator Harry Reid,http://twitter.com/Mashuahttp://mashuavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

Letter we send to the Swedish culture minister, since there has not been formal or informal apology to FGM survivors and activists working day and night to end FGM by the way which is not a laughing matter.

We send by post and emailed this well put and respectful letter even though we are angry. all we ask for is an apology. the letter reads as follows.

14/05/2012. Dear Minister for Culture and Sports, This letter is written on behalf of everyone who has either died, survived or is advocating an end to the harmful cultural practice of female genital mutilation. Before writing this letter, an honest attempt has been made to unravel the exact events of what actually happened and why at the Moderna Museet; concerning the Swedish Artists organisation cultural event that took place recently. In the research undertaken for the writing of this letter, it is of the understanding that you are a supposed supporter of anti-FGM campaigns and that Sweden takes a serious stance against this extreme gender –based violence. This cultural practice is based on historical traditions, but today it is widely recognised as being very harmful and causing deaths amongst girls and women. In fact, to date, it is not completely known how many women and girls have actually died, given that the number of deaths are under reported and in rural Africa true figures are not known. What we do know is that injury and complications are serious and a life-time of health complications results from this practice. These facts you will be well acquainted with, given your interest in the subject. So, it is with astonishment that you took part in this dreadful and de-based spectacle. In your defence, journalists have argued that you walked into something which you were unaware the full ramifications of. That once in the room, you had to go along with it. This is no defence. You must have known how much insult you would cause and what a media disaster this would be for you and the party you represent. You should have known exactly what you were attending and what you would be expected to do. There is no reason that can be seen, as to how this was ever going to ever help the anti-FGM cause and make a point of its abhorrence. It was a theatrical spectacle where the whole issue was made into a joke, something to be laughed at. This may very well have been the last thing you wanted, but this is the result. And the result is upsetting to those directly affected. Therefore, this letter is asking for a full public apology not only from you but from the artist Makode Linde for the extremely misguided actions and the subsequent hurt and humiliation you have caused to its victims. We do hope you have the compassion, the moral fibre and the dignity to respond in a positive way to this request. To date, we know of no written or verbal apology. Thank you for your attention in this matter. Yours sincerely, FGM survivor FGM survivor Lucy. S. Mashua. President of Mashua Voice for the Voiceless, International.Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rights.Global Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Leading in lobbying for HR 2221: The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. http://twitter.com/Mashua http://mashuavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415 Contact: HYPERLINK "mailto:Mashuavoiceforthevoiceless@gmail.com" Mashuavoiceforthevoiceless@gmail.com Helen Marshall, Norfolk UK. Activist against FGM. Supporter of the African NGO Tareto Maa, Kilgoris, Kenya, refuge for girls fleeing FGM and early enforced marriage Contact HYPERLINK "mailto:leilaexpressions@gmail.com" leilaexpressions@gmail.com (This letter is a follow up from an e-mail sent by Lucy. S. Mashua and we hope you have received and read one of these communications. Thank you.)

FGM RACIST CAKE.ALL SURVIVORS OF FGM WANT IS A TRUE APOLGY ,THAT IS ALL WE ASK.SIGN OUR PETITION AT CHANGE.ORG IN SOLIDARITY.

Dear Minister for Swedish Culture, This letter is written on behalf of everyone who has either died, survived or is advocating an end to the harmful cultural practice of female genital mutilation. Before writing this letter, a honest attempt has been made to unravel the exact events of what actually happened and why at the Moderna Museet concerning the Swedish Artists organisation cultural event that took place within this last week. In the research undertaken for the writing of this letter, it is of the understanding that you are a supposed supporter of anti-FGM campaigns and that Sweden takes a serious stance against this extreme gender –based violence. This subject based on long cultural traditions but is widely recognised as being very harmful and causing deaths to many girls and women. In fact, to date, it is not completely known how many women and girls have actually died, given that deaths are under reported and in rural Africa true figures are not known. What we do know is that injury and complications are serious and a life-time of health complications results. Facts that you should be well aware of given your interest in the subject. So, it is with astonishment that you took part in this dreadful and de-based spectacle. In your defence, journalists have argued that you walked into something in which you were unaware the full ramifications of. That once in the room, you had to go along with it. This is no defence. You must have known how much insult you would cause and what a media disaster this would be for you and the party you represent. You should have known exactly what you were attending and what you would be expected to do. There is no reason that can be seen as to how this was ever going to ever help the anti-FGM cause and make a point of its abhorrence. It was a theatrical spectacle where the whole issue was made into a joke, something to be laughed at. This may very well had been the last thing you wanted but this is the result. And the result is mortifying to those directly affected. Therefore, this letter is asking for a full public apology not only from yourself but from the artist Makode Linde for the extremely misguided actions and the subsequent hurt and potential humiliation you have caused to its victims. We do hope you have the comparison, the moral fibre and the dignity to reply, Yours sincerely, Ambassador Lucy Mashua Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rightsGlobal Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)Leading the Worldwide Campaign Against FGMLobbying for HR 2221:The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. and S 1919 introduced by Senator Harry Reid,http://twitter.com/Mashuahttp://mashuavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415 AND Helen Marshall, Norfolk UK. Activist against FGM and supporter of the African NGO Tareto Maa, Kilgoris, Kenya, refuge for girls fleeing FGM and early enforced marriage.

FGM RACIST painful cake VIDEO that made some ignorant racist Swedish people led by the most dumb Swedish culture minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth laugh!! The body screams every time someone mutilate the female genitals.by Lucy Mashua

Apologize to African FGM survivors and agree that you are ignorant woman who have no idea how it feels to be chopped off your clitoris! minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, I FIND YOU REALLY DUMB, DISGUSTING, SELFISH SPECIES AND THE MANY FOOLS WHO LAUGHED WITH YOU AS A BLACK WOMAN CRIES FOR HELP AND INSTEAD YOU MUTILATE HER CLITORIS THEN FEED IT TO HER!! DISGUSTING OF YOU. DO YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE MUTILATED? I MEAN YOUR CLITORIS MUTILATED!! OOH YOU ARE DUMB AND VERY STUPID IF YOU REALLY FIND IT FUNNY!!
Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of art is NOT the same thing as freedom to humiliate, ridicule, or belittle. No matter what the intentions were, no doubt good ones at first glance, the execution and results lack in respect, empathy, and understanding.
There is no good that comes from other people carving up Black women’s bodies. None. Not ever. And I don’t understand how anyone could think they have a right to make this call. It’s not your body and personhood on the line here.
Nobody gets to use our bodies to prove a point we already knew.
This is wrong, Dead arse wrong. Is it ok for anyone to use a Black woman’s body? It proves exactly how racist everyone who participated in it and everyone who sees it is ok!!

Ambassador Lucy Mashua Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rightsGlobal Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)Leading the Worldwide Campaign Against FGMLobbying for HR 2221:The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. and S 1919 introduced by Senator Harry Reid,http://twitter.com/Mashuahttp://mashuavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

Shame on you Swedish hateful, racist minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth,I find you , DUMB, HEARTLESS,IDIOTIC AND PLAIN HATEFUL! MUTILATING OFF A BLACK WOMAN'S CLITORIS THEN FEEDING IT TO HER IT'S INHUMAN AND A PURE CRIME!! By Lucy Mashua

The exclusively white audience cheered as the minister laughingly cut the cake around the "clitoris", and fed it to the artist.
Most people would consider female genital mutilation (FGM) to be a deeply harrowing issue, and that its victims should be treated with respect and sensitivity. In Sweden, though, it seems it's a laughing matter, and that racial slurs can be thrown in too.

Sweden's culture minister, Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth celebrated the country's World Art Day by visiting an art installation created to highlight the FGM issue. But, shockingly the artist chose to do this by means of a cake depicting a stereotypical black woman connected to the artist's grotesquely blacked-up face. The exclusively white audience cheered as the minister laughingly cut the cake around the "clitoris", and fed it to the artist.

It is difficult to see how women who are victims of FGM, or black people for that matter, can benefit from this contribution to the degradation and humiliation of black women.

In her attempt to justify her participation in the event, Adelsohn Liljeroth said that art was meant to be provocative, and that the pictures of the event are misunderstood. This reveals her careless attitude towards this racist incident, but it is also a familiar manifestation of Swedish politics and how it views black people.

Clearly, Adelsohn Liljeroth participated and encouraged a crude racist act in her capacity as a government representative. What makes matters worse is that she subsequently expressed no regret, instead choosing to question the intelligence of all those who criticise her. If a top politician can resign for such things as buying nappies with government credit cards, as happened recently, then it goes without saying that Adelsohn Liljeroth must take responsibility for what happened and resign.

But more than that, why is it that Stockholm's Museum of Modern Art, a major state institution, organised a spectacle like this? This can only be understood by looking at the country as a whole. Racism and racist depictions against black people are common in Sweden.

Apologize to African FGM survivors and agree that you are ignorant woman who have no idea how it feels to be chopped off your clitoris!

Ambassador Lucy Mashua Assisting and advocating for U.S. refugees and women’s rightsGlobal Ambassador for Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)Leading the Worldwide Campaign Against FGMLobbying for HR 2221:The Girl's Protection Act sponsored by Rep. Joseph Crowley and Rep. Mary Bono Mack. and S 1919 introduced by Senator Harry Reid,http://twitter.com/Mashuahttp://mashuavoiceforthevoiceless.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415