The racism that originates from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and their youth chapter is no surprise. The latest posting by the PS Youth is just another example of how they get attention.
It’s a simple and effective method used by far-right parties like the PS Youth.
How it works:
- Say or post something outrageous and racist. Sit back and wait;
- You know you have succeeded when your message is picked up by the media and social media;
- When a storm raises, you have succeeded. It is now time to back down but never apologize;
- The principal aim of the message is to your followers who have read what you said or posted.
Indeed, there are a lot of crocodile tears shed in the process.
When the ministry of education threatened to cut the PS Youth’s 115,000 euros in state aid, we read the following statement 5 days after they posted the following on Facebook but without an apology, according to Yle News:
“My tweet was thoughtless and I acted impulsively when the idea struck me,” writes Toni Jalonen, the PS Youth’s vice chairperson. “I later realized that it was misguided, but the damage was already done. I have learned my lesson and moving forward, I will use better judgment when it comes to the organization’s communications.”
Learned my lesson?! I will use better judgment?!
In English, they call this a snow job.
After taking back the above statement by criticizing the ministry of education for threatening to take away their state aid, the PS Youth were soon at it again. This time their Facebook ad had two black niqab-wearing women using colorful umbrellas.
The ad reads: “Do you want Finland to look like this. Don’t go to sleep. Vote.” I have purposely not posted the ad or a link to the page because I don’t want to be a part of their campaign.
Parties that spread racism are a threat to everyone, even themselves.
Below, is a PS “classic” of how the party uses racism to get more attention:
Nadi @snadinadi replying to @LauraHuhtasaari and 6 others
Are you capable of condemning publicly what a Lapland chapter [PS] youth member said? Are you going to make a statement? Is this acceptable behavior, considering that we haven’t seen any objection [from the PS] concerning what was said?
Nadi @snadinadi
People can be kicked out of Finland based on one’s genetic and skin color. Jesus. Do you understand what that sounds like?
Johannes Sipola @Sipolajohannes
They sound very good.
Laura Huhtasaari @LauraHuhtasaari
Stop this arguing! The Perussuomalaiset does not base its politics on skin color. We defend Finland, Finns and Finnish identity. When immigration ground rules are in order, (only then will Finland) be a good country to move to and (where we can) uphold mutual respect.
* The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.