Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 05-07-2017
The Cape Town Magistrate Court has declared the controversial F**k White People artwork displayed in the South African National Gallery is not in contravention of South Africa’s hate speech laws.
Times Lives reports the artwork by Dean Hutton had been loaned to the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town as part of an exhibition titled “The Art of Disruptions”.
Cape Party leader Jack Miller, who brought the case against the artist said the ruling brought into question the protection of minority rights in the country wanted to have the Hutton fined R150 000 and forced to apologise.
In his judgment‚ Chief Magistrate DM Thulare said if there was one thing the work had achieved‚ it was “to draw South Africans to a moment of self-reflection”.
“In his view‚ the words‚ properly contextualised and understood‚ conveyed the message: “Reject‚ confront and dismantle structures‚ systems‚ knowledge‚ skills and attitudes of power that keep white people racist.”
Iziko’s lawyer‚ Jeremy Klerck‚ welcomed the ruling‚ saying: “This is a landmark decision. It came to the defence of freedom of speech. And it came to the defence of artistic expression.”
Hutton says she was grateful for the “very thoughtful” judgment.
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