Stina Oscarson about the panel discussion at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern

After a panel discussion at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern on Saturday, Barakat Ghebrehawariat, writer and multicultural expert, who took part in the panel, wrote on his Instagram that he was exposed to racism after two questioners in the audience used the n-word. He also directed sharp criticism at the organizer Kulturhuset Stadsteatern, which he believes should have reacted and highlighted during the question period. Linda Beijer, head of culture at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern, told DN Kultur on Monday that it was a mistake and they have also published a public apology.

But the picture of what happened during the conversation is not shared by the other panelist. In an article in the magazine Kvartal, Ola Wong writes that it felt like “being in the Monty Python film ‘Life of Brian'” and that Kulturhuset backs down when it comes to freedom of expression. Nor does Stina Oscarson, who moderated the conversation, share Barakat Ghebrehawariat’s view that the atmosphere in the room would have been violent and hostile.

– I see it as deeply wrong, it is completely constructed, says Stina Oscarson.

Can you then describe how you perceived the sequence of events?

– Two of the questioners used the n-word. First a man, who introduced himself as half-African and who used the n-word once to tell us that he was subjected to racism as a child but had still chosen to read Pippi in the original to his children in order to put it in context. The word was not directed at Barakat, but he still reacted violently, saying that he did not want to hear that word. A little later, a Swedish man used the same word but on a principled level and then wanted to explain why, but Barakat didn’t want to hear it.

How do you feel about using the n-word?

– I wouldn’t do it. Had the word been used as an insult to a person during the conversation on Saturday, I would have spoken out, but I never found it relevant to mark it that way.

Do you think something in this room should have been done differently?

– It was very unfortunate that Kulturhuset did not have a representative in the room at all times. If you had, you would have been able to see with your own eyes that there was nothing to apologize for.

How do you see the Kulturhuset issuing a public apology?

– I see it as Kulturhuset Stadsteatern being an incredibly cowardly institution, which turns its coat to the wind.

Read more:

The N-word was used at Kulturhuset – participants left the stage