Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.08.2004, Blaðsíða 4

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LETTERS
Complaints, criticism, suggestions, praise, money in new, unmarked bills, anything at all: Contact
letters@grapevine.is or send your mail to: The Reykjavík Grapevine, Hafnarstræti 15, 101 Reykjavík
Being an English magazine in Iceland, your target
audience is foreigners, and so it makes sense that you
promote multiculturalism and take notice of racism that
occurs in our society. I would like to offer some insight
as to why racism exists, based on a personal experience I
recently had. At the pool as I was swimming laps, several
Southern European men lounged in the lane, ogled at me
above and below the water attempting to see my private
parts, and talked about me in such a lewd manner that
I was forced to leave the lane. They later continued to
make suggestive gestures from across the pool if I was
looking in their direction. I felt degraded and extremely
uncomfortable and this incident troubled me for the rest
of the day. In light of this kind of experience, I am not at
all surprised why foreigners are often treated with dislike.
Maybe this kind of behavior is acceptable in the country
where these men came from, but it is unacceptable here,
and when this kind of culture clash occurs, a feeling of
animosity towards the culture develops. By the way, I am
a foreigner myself, but I have tried hard to fit in and keep
my different customs from offending the residents of this
country.
B.G.
So, we´ve finally found the root of racism: ogling Italians.
Perhaps Decode can now get to work on isolating the ogling
gene, and then head south. Of course, no women should be in
the party as they will no doubt be ogled unconscious before
being able to administer the cure.
Hello there,
I have recently visited Reykjavík. During my visit I saw a
photography exhibition entitled “Icelanders On Display”.
The article by Marc Mettler in Grapevine issue 3 year2
fri 25 june - thu 8july 2004 led me to check it out. I really
thought it was excellent. The purpose of the email is to
find out if you can help me.
Is there any way I could purchase the photography?
I’d be grateful for any relevant information.
-Jane Powell
The book of the exhibition is available in bookstores.
Hi.
Very good paper.
On the 17th of June I stopped by and got a poster from
you of the disputed picture of the black woman in the na-
tional costume. Thanks a lot. I keep it on a cork board in
my kitchen to remind me and my family that racism can
exist in Iceland. However, this has aroused the jealousy of
my brother and he asked me to see if I could possibly get
him the picture as well. Do you still have posters? If that
is the case, could I stop by and have another copy?
Best wishes,
Guðjón S. Björgvinsson.
Glad you like it and thank you for your support. Yes, we have
a few posters left at Hafnarstræti 15.
Well done in providing a very interesting publication!
I had a look via Iceland Express website. The possibility
of cheaper flights to Iceland is a real bonus to people like
me who have been once, would love to visit more often,
but been unable to afford it!
Andrew
I know this looks like an IE plug, but it is in fact a genuine
letter. At least we think it is a genuine letter.
Some responses from our survey:
I think you are a bunch of great guys... especially the
designer. He´s a very cool guy and very cute. Cheers.
Höddi, I´m assuming you sent this in yourself. You won´t get
any plane tickets, you know.
The Reykjavík Grapevine is a finely tuned intellectual
mechanism. For me the focus seems to be to balance
every aspect of what Reykjavík has to offer to non-Ice-
landic speakers. When I see the puzzled look in tourists´
eyes, it is my obligation to offer them a free copy of your
paper.
Grapevine: A finely tuned intellectual mechanism. And cute
too.
What an extremely intelligent and cool way to express
yourself !!! Not only do you reach the elder folks by being
“fashionably sensitive” with material chosen but also for
the young you are “too cool to care” Hence you get the
younger fascinated by humour, coolness and hip articles
and the older ones intrigued with humour and real good
material. In short...I´m amazed, this should be published
in every country!!! My gratitude to all of you, this was
much needed.
Fuck cool. We do care.
It is a very amusing and educational paper, it is great fun
to read while I eat my hamburger or what I get from the
kiosk :) Keep it up, this is one of the most fun reads I´ve
seen.
Grapevine also comes in handy when you´ve finished your
burger and are in the process of processing it. And it comes in
particularly handy after that.
I am very impressed with the changes you have made
since last year, editorial and visual. Very good.
Our visual artist is more than a pretty face, then. Which is
not as often said of the editor.
Well, it is English so many people can read it. it brings
up interesting issues and is more interesting than local
paper. you really give good articles on all kinds of staff
that you will not find anywhere else. it is very unique
and different paper. keep on hoing, i would not change
anything
We will indeed keep on hoing. I presume.
More in depth reportage on social issues, politics and the
economy would give to strangers a more comprehensive
knowledge of Iceland. Give the possibility to strangers
who work here or travels or whatever to contribute with
some articles about what they do... Something that could
be more open, so I can work for you!!!
We are indeed always open for contributions. Anyone out
there wanting to write in depth reportage on social issues,
politics and the economy?
I am actually not just visiting Iceland, I live here on a
permanent basis. I really enjoy reading the Grapevine
because it gives a fresh, new perspective on Iceland. I
especially enjoy articles written by other foreigners living
here. The paper has a multi-cultural feel to it that is
sorely needed in this homogeneous country.
You´re too kind. Oh, go on, one more then.

This is a really useful paper for the visitor to Iceland. Its
strong point is its humour and iconoclastic approach to
life which make the whole damn thing an enjoyable read.
I have read many similar EngLang papers around the
world and most of them are seriously boring.
Anyone out there have anything bad to say about us? Where
are the Nazis when you need them?