Ever wonder why the Finnish media and politicians continue to spread lies about migrants and minorities like we’re lazy, stupid, criminals, rapists and a burden on society? OK, not all of them lie on purpose but too many remain silent and allow these types of urban tales to slip past them in silent approval. Say…
Month: September 2014
High time for Western self-scrutiny about our Muslim community
I made in the late-1970s one of the most important decisions of my life. Back then Argentina was ruled by one of the region’s bloodiest dictatorships. Human rights violations, torture and state-sponsored terrorism were the rule. You had three choices: take up arms and join a guerrilla group, shut up or leave the country. Wali Hashi…
Pekka Myrskylä: “Why aren’t we debating about why [white] Finns buy alcohol with social aid?”
National Coalition Party MP Pia Kauma has proven with her victimization of migrant mothers and migrants that prejudices have deep roots. No matter how much you expose an outright lie, your evidence will have little impact because some people are set in their prejudices and beliefs. Kauma continues to be adamant: She will not apologize…
National Coalition Party and Perussuomalaiset lead anti-immigration drive in Finland
With parliamentary elections nearing in April, topping the anti-immigration rhetoric list are two parties with representatives in parliament: National Coalition Party and who else but the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*. We’ve been reading almost daily about National Coalition Party MP Pia Kauma’s crusade against migrant women with baby carriages. The PS are another hostile party to migrants…
Finland’s parliamentary elections of April 2015 have begun
Even if parliamentary elections will take place on April 19, 2015, it’s clear that they’ve begun. Rumbles can be already heard from political parties such as the Perussuomalaiset (PS)*, Muutos 2011 and the National Coalition Party, which are vying for media attention and voters. Who are they targeting? Who else but migrants and minorities. National Coalition Party…
Dr Theodoros Fouskas: Nigerian Immigrants in Greece: Low-Status Work, Community, and Decollectivization
Migrant Tales insight: Dr Theodoros Fouskas, a lecturer at the New York College, Greece, is no stranger to our blog. We’ve published two stories about his research and work. Taking into account the economic and political hardships that Greece faces and how this had impacted migrants, Migrant Tales believes it has a responsibility to show the good…
Muutos 2011 election campaign exposes the contempt and hatred some Finns have for migrants and minorities
Muutos 2011, which has one MP in parliament, is a good example of a xenophobic party in Finland. They are a good example of the racism, contempt and hatred that some Finns have for migrants and minorities. Behind all the Muutos 2011 rhetoric you will find a hostile message: keep Finland white. James Hirvisaari, who…
Defining white privilege #10: I can victimize and make up any story I like about migrants because I’m white
National Coalition Party MP Pia Kauma has made headlines recently by exploiting people’s suspicion of migrants in general and migrant women in particular for buying new baby carriages with welfare money. Even if her claim is based on hearsay, the MP continues to make headlines. She doesn’t get noticed for victimizing migrants and basing her claim…
Kokoomus MP Pia Kauma continues crusade against baby carriages – now includes Finnish mothers
Pia Kauma, the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) MP that pointed the accusing finger at migrants Friday by asking why migrant women get social aid to buy new baby carriages since Finnish mothers buy used ones, wants to do away with social aid to buy baby carriages altogether, reports Helsingin Sanomat. Migrant Tales reported Friday that the finger pointing and…
Institute of Race Relations: Sweden’s counter-extremism policies fail the accountability test
Migrant Tales insight: The first question that came to mind when reading the posting below is how Finland challenges the rise of fascism and far-right parties? Meanwhile, right under our noses, is the Perussuomalaiset (PS),* the third-largest party in parliament. What does a party like the PS say about how Finland is dealing with the…