(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
The 20. April was an article in Dagbladet about the debut hip-hop artist Name. Name was in the photo session for an edition of the magazine Kingsize and Dagbladet was there to talk about his success with the new single "Hand Me Down". However, it was not a photoshoot within respectable limits. There stood Name in the middle with two naked women on each side, holding them as if they were his trophies.
It is said that a picture says more than a thousand words, and that is exactly right. The signal effect of the picture on the front page of Dagbladet on 20 April is at least very negative for many young and adult Norwegian-Africans. Name is reminiscent of the "white European adventurer" in "the blackest Africa", where he has found "primitive" African "lionesses" whom he has tamed. It may be reminiscent of Julius Caesar – HE CAME, HE SAW, HE CONQUERED.
One black woman is almost "at his feet". Compare the biblical quote:
He puts peoples under us and peoples under our feet.
– Psalm 47: 3,4
The Bible was one of the strong tools of slavery. It a clear imperialist undertone here.
Whether Kingsize wants to convey this ugly thought or not, does not matter here. It is the negative signals that are sent to many Norwegian-Africans, and especially Norwegian-African girls, that are important. We have more than anyone else in this country noticed the presence of the Nigerian prostitutes. The stamp of prostitution is now placed on girls who are ordinary citizens in Norway today. Young girls and adult Norwegian-African ladies who are on their way home from work or out one evening, say that they are bothered by both Norwegians and other men who want to "buy" them, or want to know if they are interested in a " relations ". This is not a new phenomenon. Many can testify to offensive and inappropriate "compliments" such as "chocolate rabbit", "African wildcat", and "black woman". How long should a young African woman be placed in the "exotic", "rare", and "exciting" stall? Many people feel that they live daily in a display case that you cannot get out of. I personally experience this. The models Kingsize chose, were there voluntarily and knew well what they were going for. They are adult women who make their own choices, and this must be respected. However, the picture strikes back at us who have not chosen to pose naked on the front page of a magazine. What is the problem in this case is the undertone of what has actually been conquered.
One of the most important questions then is why Kingsize chooses to promote a type of art that is offensive and condescending. This image that Kingsize has chosen to face, and which Dagbladet showed on its front page on 20 April, is helping to streamline and strengthen the stamp that has already become a nuisance for Norwegian-African women. They are not alone in creating negative associations with black women, but why should Kingsize contribute to undermining Norwegian-African women through this cover image?
Below the picture is the title: "Is the world at his feet?". Is it their way of saying that African women are subject to the industry they represent? African women are actively distributed through the objectification of mainstream hip hop, and Kingsize itself takes an active part in this stigma that African young women experience in Norway today due to the Nigerian prostitution wave. Nigerian prostitution makes everyday life hard for many young and adult African women in Norway.
We want Kingsize to acknowledge its influence and acknowledge its responsibility for this issue. We want an end to African women being synonymous with the sale of sex. This can no longer be dozed off, and one must confront this problem which has now also become Norwegian. We want an end to the objectification of women.
The title of Dagbladet's article is not only inappropriate, but directly hair-raising and offensive. The picture gives chills, and one can wonder why Kingsize has repeatedly shown their African models naked, while their Norwegian models are mostly covered.
Is it perhaps not "hip hop enough" to have completely naked Norwegian models?
It is time for this issue to be put on the agenda, and for people to take a stand on this. The one who stays silent agrees.
