Swedish retail chain pulls Saint Lucia ad following racist abuse of child

[BeeDog]

This piece of news has been a big point of discussion all over Sweden for the last day or so:

http://www.thelocal.se/20161205/swedish-festive-ad-pulled-following-racist-abuse-of-child

A Swedish department store chain has pulled a festive online advert after the child in the picture was subjected to racist abuse by online trolls.
The ad for Sweden’s Åhléns, featuring a dark-skinned boy dressed as a Lucia, led to comments on the company’s Facebook page questioning why the figure was being represented by someone who isn't white.

On Monday, the company said it had now decided to remove the image at the request of the child’s parents.

“Out of respect for those involved we have decided that we should take the image down from our channels,” Åhléns head of marketing Lina Söderqvist told public service broadcaster SVT.

“We are unbelievably proud of our Lucia picture which stands for every child’s right to be and express themselves exactly how they want to – as a Lucia, an Epiphany singer, or a gingerbread person, regardless of sex, hair length, colour or background,” it added.

And to provide some context on this day...:

Though Sweden’s version of the eponymous figure of the December 13th Lucia feast is often represented by a stereotypically Nordic-looking blonde haired girl, the St. Lucy it celebrates actually hailed from Syracuse, a city on the island of Sicily, southern Italy.

Picture in question:

Picture removed by moderator. I don't think much is served by seeing the photo, and we'd rather not spread it around and be part of the problem. The photo is of a young, dark-skinned boy wearing a crown of candles.

2016 has truly been a nasty year, with the rapid spreading of racist, xenophobic and downright SHITTY opinions and voices. This is yet another example of (extreme) right winds blowing and fucking up even usually decent countries like Sweden.

This particular incident sickens me to the degree that I wish the absolute worst on anyone that has performed in the abuse of an innocent child in this way.

 

[strafer]

i saw that...makes me fucking furious. I hate my country.

 

[CrimsonSquall]

Picture in question is where?

 

[TBiddy]

Picture in question is where?

I removed this one, too.

edit: too late. Also, what the fuck is wrong with people?

 

[BeeDog]

Picture in question is where?

Didn't even realize the article was missing the picture. Added it to the OP now.

 

[NEO0MJ]

It feels crazy how every racist is letting their hatred out these days.

 

[rossonero]

It got to be added that the picture was pulled at the parents' request. They were tired of all the racist shit.

 

[Jonnax]

Walking home yesterday I saw a sticker saying multiculturalism is genocide. South East UK.
Had quite a bit of racist stuff shouted at me by kids when I first moved here from London.

It gets dark early so I hope as I'm walking home from work I don't get attacked. Just the way the world is.

I think growing up I lived in a bubble of nice people that distorted my perception of what reality is.

 

[Don Draper's Hat]

Why pull the ad? Fuck those people who were angered by it. Fuck 'em all.

Cunts.

Edit: Oh, the parents requested it to be removed. That's just sad.

 

[Bishop89]

disgusting..

people need to get over themselves.

 

[Chuckie]

i saw that...makes me fucking furious. I hate my country.

Well the photo had 200 negative reactions and about 20000 likes/loves, so I think it is safe to say the majority of Swedes are still cool.

 

[BeeDog]

Well the photo had 200 negative reactions and about 20000 likes/loves, so I think it is safe to say the majority of Swedes are still cool.

Sure, but doesn't excuse the fact that there are too many worthless piece of shit humans freely flaunting their stupid, 17th century opinions. I honestly wonder how those people can rationalize spewing their garbage over a child and live with themselves.

 

[jts]

Used to hold Sweden in such a high regard, but feels like for the last couple of years lots of negative news have come out of it.

 

[Dali]

Picture in question is where?

Yeah it was pretty annoying how I had to click a link within the article to another article just to see an offscreen capture of what I had to assume was the picture in question. What kinda dumbass site design/article layout is that?

 

[hydrophilic attack]

I hate these racist fucks

Luckily they are still a minority here in Sweden

 

[Chuckie]

Sure, but doesn't excuse the fact that there are too many worthless piece of shit humans freely flaunting their stupid, 17th century opinions. I honestly wonder how those people can rationalize spewing their garbage over a child and live with themselves.

It sure doesn't excuse it and I am not trying to down play it, it was just a reaction to Strafer hating his country.

 

[aygomyownroad]

Cowardly move by the retail chain. Should keep it up and stick to fingers up to the racists.

Racism will continue to win if we give in to it so easily like this!

 

[besada]

Cowardly move by the retail chain. Should keep it up and stick to fingers up to the racists.

Racism will continue to win if we give in to it so easily like this!

The parents asked to have it removed because their child was being targeted. I actually applaud the retail chain. Fighting racism is good, but I don't think we need to use a ten year old boy to do it. That's a real kid, getting threats and abuse online. How long before that spills over into his classroom?

 

[BeeDog]

The parents asked to have it removed because their child was being targeted. I actually applaud the retail chain. Fighting racism is good, but I don't think we need to use a ten year old boy to do it. That's a real kid, getting threats and abuse online. How long before that spills over into his classroom?

On the other hand, A LOT of people are using the temporary profile pic functionality on FB to show the picture of the kid, so while the withdrawal by Åhléns is a good statement, its efficiency is cast in doubt now.

Either way, I appreciate that this happening has spurred a good debate here in Sweden. Hopefully the miscreants are shamed in a bad way.

 

[kami_sama]

The parents asked to have it removed because their child was being targeted. I actually applaud the retail chain. Fighting racism is good, but I don't think we need to use a ten year old boy to do it. That's a real kid, getting threats and abuse online. How long before that spills over into his classroom?

If the parents requested to have the ad pulled, only the racist people that targeted the child are to blame. Fucking racists, man.

 

[CrimsonSquall]

Yeah it was pretty annoying how I had to click a link within the article to another article just to see an offscreen capture of what I had to assume was the picture in question. What kinda dumbass site design/article layout is that?

Yea I normally wouldn't ask but going to the other site on the link by OP to find the picture wasn't loading at all for me on mobile. But I get the jist.

Honestly there's nothing on earth that upsets me more than to see kids being verbally abused over their race.

Adults have years to work over racist behaviors, but when it hits a kid its devastating in a different manner and I can speak to this as I was called a nigger at random by a classmate in jr high and it really changed my perspective on life. So for this to happen, I have nothing but my high hopes for the young little black boy

 

[TBiddy]

On the other hand, A LOT of people are using the temporary profile pic functionality on FB to show the picture of the kid, so while the withdrawal by Åhléns is a good statement, its efficiency is cast in doubt now.

Indeed [insert something about the Barbara Streisand effect etc.]. But what else could they do?

 

[besada]

On the other hand, A LOT of people are using the temporary profile pic functionality on FB to show the picture of the kid, so while the withdrawal by Åhléns is a good statement, its efficiency is cast in doubt now.

Either way, I appreciate that this happening has spurred a good debate here in Sweden. Hopefully the miscreants are shamed in a bad way.

Yeah, I find that a bizarre reaction to a parent's request to decrease the amount of scrutiny of their son. I suspect few put much thought into it.

 

[Rahvar]

As a Swede I can say that there's been some vocal dissent about "nationalism" and otger nonsense cover words for racism.

I don't think it's gotten much worse over the last 20 years or so. More the case that people have become more aware of the issues.

The refugee stream over the last year has highlighted some of it, but in the end it's the same sad people who are spewing hate because they are unsatisfied with their own lives.

The "nationalistic" political party has been facing controversies and scandals left and right. They are too soft for the hardcore racists but still not acceptable by any other political standards. The other parties wont work with them and they look more and more like fools. Currently the tax payers are paying two members of the government that was elected as part of the party around $7000 a month despite them being kicked out of the party, you keep your elected seat here even if your party kicks you out.
One of these two people is the mother-in-law of the leader of the party.

What the child and his family had to endure is sad and shouldn't happen. But it's an action by a minority among a minority who quite possibly would have complained about a dark haired white girl as well.
Not making light of racial abuse, but to put it into context.
That said, I hope they start having black and asian santas and gay/trans princesses or whatever to point out that it's completely normal and not a single event for these people to lash out on.

Just to put in context. Sweden is possibly one of the least religious countries in the world and Christmas has pretty much nothing to do with Christ. Our word for it doesn't even include the word. This is a pure and sad matter of race.

 

[Keasar]

Satans jävla Sverige Demokrat röstande penis-skalle rasist fanskap....

These are the moments when I truly hate my country, for all the good it has, there is always these fuckers to sour it up.

 

[Braag]

Walking home yesterday I saw a sticker saying multiculturalism is genocide. South East UK.
Had quite a bit of racist stuff shouted at me by kids when I first moved here from London.

It gets dark early so I hope as I'm walking home from work I don't get attacked. Just the way the world is.

I think growing up I lived in a bubble of nice people that distorted my perception of what reality is.

You were really lucky to have those people around you cause I experienced the worst of it when I was growing up.

Our family moved to Finland 24 years ago when I was just 4. I obviously had no idea what racism even meant back then.
Until I was about 7 or 8 years old. Our neighbor who really disliked foreigners came up to me as I was coming home from school and told me that someday he will take me to the nearby forest and nobody will hear from me ever again.
Not long after that my dad's car was completey destroyed middle of the night, cops came to investigate but there really was no evidence for them to pin the act on anyone.
Also someone kept calling the cops on us during the night pretty much weekly, claiming that there was "something shady" going on at our place. We were usually all sleeping when the cops came knocking.
And finally someone wrote "fuck off" on our door twice.
We later moved to another area, but things were only slightly better there.

Back then there weren't as many foreigners living in Finland as there are now. I wonder if that made some of them more hostile towards us.

 

[Agremont]

Absolutely pathetic.

The same people who complained about this is likely to be the same people complaining about immigrants not conforming to Swedish customs.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[Machina]

Forget about space travel. We don't deserve it. This species will be dead and gone long before then. The galaxy will look down on our carcass and wonder "how the fuck...."

 

[Agremont]

Absolutely pathetic.

The same people who complained about this is likely to be the same people complaining about immigrants not conforming to Swedish customs.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

With this said though, I'm glad that there's been so many voices oppossing these racist pricks. It makes me feel like we can make it if we keep fighting it.

 

[crisdecuba]

What is the reason for not posting the photo of the advert though? There's nothing wrong with the photo of it.

 

[Faustek]

I hate these racist fucks

Luckily they are still a minority here in Sweden

20% are apparently fine to support the party that is TOTALLY NOT ENABLING THIS BEHAVIOUR or have made a platform on it.
Bet my ass this fucking second hand taint stains are even now making their best to forget how SD voted against enforcing Swedish rules and pay for anything the state uses to hire people for any service we require and are totally fine that we use public funds to lower salaries. You know the thing SD was so adamantly against doing.

What is the reason for not posting the photo of the advert though? There's nothing wrong with the photo of it.

Because some fucks may use it to fuck around.
Because they are on the level of gerbil vomit.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

Used to hold Sweden in such a high regard, but feels like for the last couple of years lots of negative news have come out of it.

If a country is 90+% white then they're probably not very accepting of diversity. Just in case you held any other country in high regard.

 

[crisdecuba]

Because some fucks may use it to fuck around.
Because they are on the level of gerbil vomit.

After reading the story, I agree with pulling it because the parents requested that it be pulled. I can see the argument going in either direction though. A parent might want to remove the photo to limit the spread of the distortions of that photo and the comments. I might also see a parent deciding to keep it up in order to say screw you to those who can only accept a white representation or to those who spread hate. I personally would try to choose the latter and would do my best to explain to my kid and protect them from seeing the blowback themselves. But who knows, I might end up feeling differently if I am ever in that position for real.

 

[Squalor]

I hate these racist fucks

Luckily they are still a minority here in Sweden

The overt racists. What about the passive moderates?

I'm sure it's not much different from the United States. The overt racists aren't close to a majority or even half, but the passive moderates make up for it.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

You were really lucky to have those people around you cause I experienced the worst of it when I was growing up.

Our family moved to Finland 24 years ago when I was just 4. I obviously had no idea what racism even meant back then.
Until I was about 7 or 8 years old. Our neighbor who really disliked foreigners came up to me as I was coming home from school and told me that someday he will take me to the nearby forest and nobody will hear from me ever again.
Not long after that my dad's car was completey destroyed middle of the night, cops came to investigate but there really was no evidence for them to pin the act on anyone.
Also someone kept calling the cops on us during the night pretty much weekly, claiming that there was "something shady" going on at our place. We were usually all sleeping when the cops came knocking.
And finally someone wrote "fuck off" on our door twice.
We later moved to another area, but things were only slightly better there.

Back then there weren't as many foreigners living in Finland as there are now. I wonder if that made some of them more hostile towards us.

I don't really have any words for any of this. The racism in the OP is awful, and your story above is awful. I'm sorry some of you have to go through this. Fuck this world sometimes.

 

[jonno394]

I really liked Sweden when I visited it for 2 weeks in 2006. Really was exactly like I imagined. Don't think I'd ever go back now though.

 

[Skellig Gra]

The irony is that there is a very good chance that particular saint was actually dark skinned.

Used to hold Sweden in such a high regard, but feels like for the last couple of years lots of negative news have come out of it.

This is just like "southern hospitality" in the US. It's great if you are white.

 

[Keasar]

I really liked Sweden when I visited it for 2 weeks in 2006. Really was exactly like I imagined. Don't think I'd ever go back now though.

Do come back sometime, most of us are not as bad as these idiots, especially in the middle and north parts of Sweden.

And believe me when I say I think a majority of us wish we could somehow take all these people and dump them outside the northern coast of Russia.

 

[Gorger]

Being Norwegian I am harrowed to see this kind of disgusting behavior in my neighboring country.

 

[Keri]

I hope the little boy didn't see or read any of those comments, but it breaks my heart to think that the parents had to ask for the add to be removed, to protect him. It makes me think that he did see some of the responses...I have no idea what a Lucia is meant to be, but it's definitely not worth hurting the feelings of a real little boy, especially not during the holiday season.

 

[Zeknurn]

Do come back sometime, most of us are not as bad as these idiots, especially in the middle and north parts of Sweden.

And believe me when I say I think a majority of us wish we could somehow take all these people and dump them outside the northern coast of Russia.

How ironic.

 

[Faustek]

After reading the story, I agree with pulling it because the parents requested that it be pulled. I can see the argument going in either direction though. A parent might want to remove the photo to limit the spread of the distortions of that photo and the comments. I might also see a parent deciding to keep it up in order to say screw you to those who can only accept a white representation or to those who spread hate. I personally would try to choose the latter and would do my best to explain to my kid and protect them from seeing the blowback themselves. But who knows, I might end up feeling differently if I am ever in that position for real.

But you are also opening up for people to directly abuse your child. A child cannot defend themselves, cannot make choices for themselves so the parents do.
But yes I can kinda see your point but I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to my loved ones just because it was the right thing to do. Is it just me? Then sure, wouldn't be the first time I stood "in the way".

I really liked Sweden when I visited it for 2 weeks in 2006. Really was exactly like I imagined. Don't think I'd ever go back now though.

Do come back, even though I can hear the random racist slurs daily, the people that cross the street when they see me, the people that clutch their belongings and back into the corner in the elevator, the bouncer that say I'm to drunk to enter when I'm sober, the people that try and speak English with me when I do my shopping and everything else Sweden is actually really great.

It actually is, most people speak up. After the puss bags leave and I haven't raised my voice and chased them away myself. If I do act in equal manner I have been treated wrongly most people just stay away. To be honest I get it. People are afraid to care. If you care about strangers weird things can happen. Maybe you can become a better person and who wants that?

The irony is that there is a very good chance that particular saint was actually dark skinned.

no no no, Syracuse that Saint Lucy was from is actually a secret island in Östersjön where only blond Swedish women ever lived. No chance in hell that she didn't speak Swedish, had dark hair or wasn't white. Learn your history.

 

[Agremont]

I really liked Sweden when I visited it for 2 weeks in 2006. Really was exactly like I imagined. Don't think I'd ever go back now though.

If you liked it in 2006 you'll still like it today. It's still a great country and the good people outnumber the bad.

 

[Goodstyle]

Something that gets lost in America's racial strife, is the fact that its probably a less racist country than every country in Europe combined. Seriously, that place is awful for nonwhite people.

 

[Faustek]

If you liked it in 2006 you'll still like it today. It's still a great country and the good people outnumber the bad.

Yes I should stress this. I actually really should but it's hard when it becomes a daily routine and the only option is that you are becoming a stereotype yourself. Me? I'm becoming, if I already ain't, the angry black man and the part time neet.

 

[crisdecuba]

But you are also opening up for people to directly abuse your child. A child cannot defend themselves, cannot make choices for themselves so the parents do.
But yes I can kinda see your point but I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to my loved ones just because it was the right thing to do. Is it just me? Then sure, wouldn't be the first time I stood "in the way."

Yeah, at first I couldn't think of a way that they would be exposed to it directly if it was simply happening online and the child was young enough to not really be engaged in social media, but later I started thinking about how it might spread to commentary directly to them at school from other classmates... sigh...

 

[Darth Ghandi]

Well Sweden does have a party with 20%ish of the votes that have a nazi background.
Not to mention the widespread institutional racism.

Swedes always get so upset if you do anything that remotely changes their percived idea of traditions.

A few years ago Disney edited their santa scene so a racist caricature toys weren't in and people went apeshit.
You can clearly draw parallels to the rightwing in the USE who speaks about "the war on christmas".

 

[Agremont]

Well Sweden does have a party with 20%ish of the votes that have a nazi background.
Not to mention the widespread institutional racism.

Swedes always get so upset if you do anything that remotely changes their percived idea of traditions.

A few years ago Disney edited their santa scene so a racist caricature toys weren't in and people went apeshit.
You can clearly draw parallels to the rightwing in the USE who speaks about "the war on christmas".

Yes people are very stubborn when it comes to tradition and are often unwilling to try and understand the arguments for the removal of certain things. I don't think that's necessarily outright racism though.

 

[Paganmoon]

Something that gets lost in America's racial strife, is the fact that its probably a less racist country than every country in Europe combined. Seriously, that place is awful for nonwhite people.

This is bullshit, people don't get shot dead by police because of the color of their skin in Sweden/Europe.

We've got issues, but they are very different from issues PoC face in the US.

You're just wrong.

 

[RoadHazard]

Something that gets lost in America's racial strife, is the fact that its probably a less racist country than every country in Europe combined. Seriously, that place is awful for nonwhite people.

Hyperbolic bullshit.