This article is
translated from Swedish to English due to huge interest from foreign readers
around the world.
25.12.2014
The students at the Swedish
elementary school Söndrumsskolan got a public message from the school principal
saying that all use of the swedish flag is prohibited. – We want to make
sure the students do not offend anyone using the flag, principal Hans
Åkerman told Nyheter Idag.
The elementary
school “Söndrumsskolan” is located in Halmstad, south Sweden. The school
has previously attracted media attention when the school management
ordered a graffiti painting on one of the school walls by artist Carolina
Falkholt. The painting visualize the spreading of naked women’s legs wearing
fishnet stockings. This attracted strong criticism from local politician Håkan
Wallin (FP). Now a new infected debate flared up at the school when
the school administration has issued new rules on how to use the Swedish
flag.
Swedish flag is
prohibited
A masquerade,
where a student painted his face in the Swedish flag colors and even used a toy
gun, has provoked reactions from the school board on Söndrumsskolan (Söndrum
School). Principals Hans Åkerlund and Maria Rüter has now informed about
the new rules for school activities.
The rules
communicated from the two principals states that the Swedish flag is banned for
use with the exception of public ‘flag days’ in the calendar, such as the
swedish National Day, and in the event of international exchange with foreign
students. Any other use of the Swedish flag is prohibited. When
‘Nyheter Idag’ spoke to principal Hans Åkerlund he explains the idea
behind the new rules.
He claims that
using the flag in a wrong manner could offend students. However, when
asked, principal Åkerman says there have not been any previous problems
at the school where anyone felt offended by the Swedish flag, nor did the
student have any bad intentions with his swedish flag face painting.
– The rules are a preventive measure, Åkerlund says in telephone when we speak with him.
Critics claim
Sweden suffers from “political correctness”
The original
story, dated 23:rd December, sparked debate on social forums in Sweden. Critics
claim that this is typical behaviour of anxious employees working within
the public sector, where decision-making can easily go wrong. On twitter, some
people claimed this story was related to Islam or muslims, but there is nothing
that provides support for that theory.
Still, it wasn't
clear who the principal thought might be offended by the Swedish flag. When we
spoke to him, he meant that students from different backgrounds might get
offended, without clarify it more than that.
The written rules state that using the Swedish flag
in a wrong manner could constitute the crime ‘hate speech’. When asked about
this, principal Åkerlund explained that ‘students with foreign background could
get offended if they see someone wearing a Swedish flag, especially together
with a toy gun’.
No comments:
Post a Comment