It isn’t often that you find a cake that can give you nightmares. Sweden’s minister of culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth brought out this delightful dessert as part of a celebration of World Art Day and is now being criticized for using an “offensive” and “racist” cake.
The cake, which featured a real live head that screamed when you cut it, has been called an “insult” by the National Afro-Swedish Association. The organization said in a statement.
“[The minister’s] participation, as she laughs, drinks, and eats cake, merely adds to the insult against people who suffer from racist taunts and against women affected by circumcision.”
The Huffington Post reports that Makode Aj Linde played the part of the cake’s head for the party. Linde posted a picture of the cake on Facebook, writing:
“This is After getting my vagaga mutilated by the minister of culture, Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth… Before cutting me up she whispered Your life will be better after this in my ear.”
Here’s a video of the cake. (Warning, you may never want to eat dessert again.)
Do you think the cake is offensive?
According to the Local the cake was supposed to highlight the issue of genital mutilation. I’m not positive, but I’m guessing that a screaming cake isn’t the best way to start a serious discussion about… anything.
The World Health Organization reports that there are currently about 140 girls and women who have experienced genital mutilation. Amnesty International explains:
“Female genital mutilation is the removal of part or all of the external female genitalia. In its most severe form, a woman or girl has all of her genitalia removed and then stitched together, leaving a small opening for intercourse and menstruation. It is practiced in 28 African countries on the pretext of cultural tradition or hygiene.”
