I read an interesting blog entry by Julian Abagond that highlights three types of racists in the United States: white bigots, white implicit racists and whites with integrity. How many types of racists are there in Finland?
When studying racism in this country or in other parts of Europe, denial is the most incriminating evidence that a racist leaves behind. The culprit is usually exposed by denying that a problem exists or by affirming that “I am not racist but…”
Writes Abagond: “Racism is something you have to unlearn on purpose. Not by trying to not see color but, as a first step, by understanding how racism works and how it has affected you.”
Racism has impacted Finland in many negative ways. It has been costly and brought great hardships on us. Even today it continues to affect us adversely.
Consider the following predicament: We need to attract skilled labor and foreign investment but the third-largest party in Finland is anti-EU, anti-immigration and especially anti-Islam.
Abagond speaks of three types of racists in the United States. I’d claim that there are four in Finland (if Abagond’s criteria were used, they would be divided in the following manner):
- The so-called working-class bigots (5%) are your typical skinheads. Their behavior and racism shocks most Finns. Some politicians like James Hirvisaari fall into this category.
- Bigots with education and steady jobs (45%) are people who would never act like working-class bigots but agree in principle with their views. Their knowledge of other groups like Africans is strongly entrenched in nineteenth-century racism and social constructs like Finnish nationalism. Jussi Halla-aho, Wille Rydman, Paavo Väyrynen, Päivi Räsänen are some examples.
- White implicit racists (45%) are those who don’t fall in the latter two categories. They may claim they are against racism but their actions suggest the contrary. They strongly believe in religious freedom but would be the first ones – in private – to oppose the building of a Mosque in their neighborhood or city. Many John Does are typical white implicit racists.
- Finns with integrity (5%) are those who have started to study their own racism and taken the first step to put it under control.
So its Abagond’s blog where you draw your inspiration for your blog. No wonder everything looks racism for you then.
One question: Abagond included non racist whites in his “whites with integrity”. Do you mean the same? As such, do you too consider 95% of whites/finns to be racists?
Also, this classification Abagond supports seems very convinient for blacks. Only way to be non racists is to admit being racist. To suggest blacks should have some resposibilty for their situation means that your racist. Basically blacks should not look at the mirror but just blame the god damn whites for being so racist? It sure is a good thing blacks are doing so much better in the countries where they are majority…
Yossie,Abagond is one of many sources I use for Migrant Tales. At the end of the day, I decide what I write on.
He does say, however, something very true: ”Racism is something you have to unlearn on purpose. Not by trying to not see color but, as a first step, by understanding how racism works and how it has affected you.”
Finland isn’t like the U.S. but it’s different. Even so, racism is an issue here as it is elsewhere in Europe. We should address the problem not bury our heads in the sand.
Try answering the question:
Do you think 95% of white/native finns are racists?
Racism is a problem in all societies and very widespread. If you read the blog entry you got it right but don’t forget the following statement: ”Racism is something you have to unlearn on purpose. Not by trying to not see color but, as a first step, by understanding how racism works and how it has affected you.”
Why are you attacking blacks? blacks or darkskin people are one from the vast majority of colored people. The world is not only black and white, if you mean the many problems dark skin people face then yes racism is one big problem, but don’t blame them of everything that they encounter or that the racism they face is their fault. Darkskin indian face the same racism as darkskin african, thouth you know that by now.
How many types of racists are there in Finland?
Thats a great question MT
Hi MT, all
Oh some just make noise
Some are proud of their race but they cant explain it enough because they dont know whats their race and whats race???
Some say white color is best, so they look with their eyes and nottheir IQ, brain, knowledge, humanity wise,… so they dont look at ur quality but ur hair color and skin, LOL
They can accept u easily if u r blonde ha ha ha, even if u r a danger woman or man, or somebody who just abuse others
They are every where, even between teachers,or neighbours,,,,.,,,,TE office,market,library, u dont be wonder just be aware and relax ha ah ha
Where were u born? Where is ur country, if ur countrey is in Europe okay then they can accept u, LOL
But aslo some foreigners are racist too and thats a very funny part of life in Finland
Some racist have alergy a bout this word, if u want share a thing a bout racist, racism,they attack u indirectly,
My experience’s book has many many stories
And am wonder, why some people are so simple, why they have limit is their mind??
Standing for humanity is easy, very easy, because thats our race, we r all human beings, why not a great union for humanity???
Oh best is peace, and i wish a happy social, a social full of human rights
Youhooooooooooo hi to humans
Kidding me? So this ONLY applies to white people according to Abagond’s blog.
Or is this a “national, maybe even genetical charasteristic” of white people? So 5% of finns are not racist, other are even though they say they arent. You see racism everywhere, concentrate on the real racism instead of this crap.
Can you tell me, why is finnish nation a social construct? Americans are different to finns as a nation. Finland is a nation state, USA consists of immigrants as the natives have been pretty much genocided. In Finland (i mean the geographical area) the natives were never genocided. We are the native nation to this land. No, im not saying that finnish identity is for only those that are white or have finnish ancestry.
The starting point here seems to be that all whites are racist, and only 5% have begun to “unlearn” it. Doesnt this imply that racism is natural to white people? As i have mentioned before, prejudice is everywhere and ignorant/unintelligent people trust it more than their rational thinking.
I think Abagond has a deep grudge and hate against white people. He uses the exact ideology he fights (or pretends to fight) against (racism) as a weapon against whites. You stare in the abyss and it stares back to you.
Im a nationalist, and if i did believe in 19th century racial studies i would call myself yellow, not white.
–So 5% of finns are not racist, other are even though they say they arent. You see racism everywhere, concentrate on the real racism instead of this crap.
I don’t think the point is that. The issue is that we are ALL brought to house racist ideas. The difference are those few that who understand it. He states: ”Racism is something you have to unlearn on purpose. Not by trying to not see color but, as a first step, by understanding how racism works and how it has affected you.”
I was taught a lot of racism and saw the world through such eyes. However, I understood that I have to unlearn it.”
Have you grasped that you have to unlearn your racism?
Get it?