Migrant Tales wrote back in January a moving story about a Turkmen Iraqi family of three who feared deportation. Their brave 13-year-old daughter, Ilayta S., who speaks five languages, got in touch with me this month. She gave me the good news: Her family was granted a residence permit to stay in Finland.
One of the matters I asked Ilayta to do, if she wanted, was to write a letter to Finland about this important moment in their lives.
For four years the family has lived in constant uncertainty and in the last stages with deportation hanging over their heads. After such an ordeal, it is revealing that Ilayta would write about the discrimination they’ve suffered and “don’t judge people based on their appearance because you can never know what they’ve gone through.”
“Voi olla hyvää jos noi ulkomaalaiset ei olisi täällä! Älä arvostele toisi niiten ulkonään perusteella, et voi ikinä tiedää ne on kokenut!” Translation: “It may be a good matter if those foreigners weren’t here. Don’ judge others based on their appearance since you can never know what they have gone through!
Finland needs people like Ilayta who can make Finland a better country for everyone irrespective of their background.
A racist is an individual, always an individual, who does not like people based on race – must be conscious – and who intentionally seems to be mean to them.
Robin DiAngelo, sociologist
THIS STORY WAS UPDATED
Using DiAngelo’s definition, the Perussuomalaiset (PS),* their politicians, their voters, and followers are racists because through such a party they consciously and intentionally aim to harass and bully people they don’t like based on their ethnic and/or religious background.
Disagree?
Take a look at the near-endless attacks against asylum seekers, Muslims, and terms used by the PS’ leader Jussi Halla-aho who calls such migrants “harmful.”
The PS would not exist and get support without its hateful Islamophobic message and rhetoric. Under Halla-aho’s leadership, the PS has forged close ties with neo-Nazis and ethnonationalists.
Finland needs pushback to such ludicrous rhetoric unless we want the next prime minister of Finland to be from an Islamophobic and extremist party like the PS.
Helsinki City Councilperson Abdirahim Husu Hussein’s tweet was just the pushback and wake up call this country needs. It is a long-overdue and honest discussion required in Finland about racism.
The fact that racism, discrimination, hate speech, and hate crime have worsened in Finland is proof that the present debate, which is mostly carried out by white Finns, is ineffective and intended to maintain the present system and change matters very little for people of color and other minorities.
“Was yesterdays tweet too much for you? Let me be more concrete. All of the Perussuomalaiset and their voters/supporters are racists. Yes i said it. Do you need proof? Look at your history and how you were elected as Finland’s second-biggest party [in parliament].”“Finland is a racist country. This has to be said out loud and not look for excuses why matters are this way. Only this way we can find a solution. Let’s admit the problem and maybe then we can find solutions to some things.”
Mostly white Finns, who are the least affected by racism, debate and give their opinions about the social ill;
Contrary to what Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s government claimed, Finland’s integration program is not a failure. What failed and made matters worse was the tightening of immigration policy and fueling the hostile environment against migrants and minorities;
Too many people who work with migrants are incompetent, even hostile to groups like Muslims and have racism issues. Since there is little follow up of their work by competent people, the same mistakes persist;
Our society speaks of two-way adaption but in reality, it is one way;
Such officials offer too often simplistic solutions to complex matters like integration. Their usual advice to migrants is: “learn the language” and/or get a job, which will solve your integration problems;
Such advice by the authorities is deceptive and do not help address labor discrimination and social exclusion in general;
To conclude: The aim of Finland’s integration program is to adapt people to a white Finnish society that has no idea or wish to share public spaces with other cultures.
So why make such a big deal about Hussein’s tweet and racism in general?
To save Finland from a lot of social problems and headaches today and in the future.
We need to wake up from our denial.
* 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.
The picture of the girl in Joutseno’s immigration removal center was taken by a detained Iraqi family in 2017. If there is a picture that represents the injustice of Finland’s heartless immigration “service” authorities, it is this picture of the girl gazing at her future from a barred window with barb wire.
You can check the video of the detained family here.
After this ordeal, and after a lot of pressure placed on the Finnish Immigration Service, the family of nine was not deported but given a residence permit to stay in Finland.
The video above can be watched through the link. The girl in the picture said: “Me olemme Joutsen(ossa). Ovet kiinni…ja ikkunat kiinni. Jos tarvitsemme asia paina ovikelloa…sitten poliisi tule. Ja siellä on kamera. Ja emme osamme ulos.” (We are in Joutseno. Door closes..and windows are closed. If we need something we press the doorbell…then the police comes. And there’s a camera. And we don’t know how to go outside). Source: Iltalehti.
A racist is an individual, always an individual, who does not like people based on race – must be conscious – and who intentionally seems to be mean to them.
Robin DiAngelo, sociologist
DiAngelo’s definition of racism incriminates the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* with their hand in the racist cookie jar. The whole political message of the PS hinges on consciously being mean to people of color, especially Muslims and Somalis.
There are countless examples of how PS politicians and their supporters consciously say and encourage their followers to say disrespectful things that polarize our society. Several PS politicians, like its leader Jussi Halla-aho, have convictions for ethnic agitation.
Helsinki City Councilperson Abdirahim Husu Hussein’s tweet, claiming that all PS politicians, voters and supports are racist is a long-overdue discussion needed in Finland unless you want the next prime minister to be the leader of a far-right Islamophobic party.
The reaction of the PS and of a Nurmijärvi councilperson to Hussein’s tweet offer a good example of white Finnish fragility.
Maiju Tapiolinna’s Facebook post is a good example of the hostility that white Finnish fragility brings out in some people. She states: “Somalis should leave the country if they don’t integrate.” The Nurmijärvi PS politician has asked to police to investigate Hussein’s tweet in order that the police file charges against him. For what? The PS is not an ethnic group. Source Facebook and Sakari Timonen’ blog.
Halla-aho’s reaction to Hussein’s tweet about the PS was expected. He said in Uusi Suomi, an online publication that gives the PS a forum to spread their far-right ideology: “In a country that abides by the rule of law, it is paramount that the law protects all individuals and groups alike.”
The PS leader, who hears no hate speech/fascism or see no hate speech/fascism, is crying about white people needing the same protection as minorities. Considering that hate speech laws are intended to protect vulnerable groups like Muslims, Halla-aho’s comment has white privilege painted over it.
Halla-aho’s logic is in the same league as one used by his party in the past, which argued that the Finns are “an indigenous group” threatened by immigration.
The biggest threat to the PS’ future is to fail at becoming a “normal” racist far-right party.
Will Halla-aho and the PS succeed at becoming a “normal” party while spouting anti-immigration and far-right rhetoric to its supporters?
It all hinges on what our reaction to the PS’ balancing act (seeming like a “normal” party whose politicians and supporters are consciously racist).
Migrant Tales was quoted in Time Magazine right after the 2011 parliamentary election when the PS gained 39 seats from 5 previously. Back then, former PS chairperson Timo Soini said: “We are not extremists so you can sleep safely,” and we were quoted right after: “Far-right populism is an illness inflicting Europe at present and it now has a beachhead in Finland.”
* 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.
Social Democratic Party Helsinki city councilperson Abdirahim Husu Hussein tweeted that all the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and their supporters are racists. If you think of it, he has a point. The PS is not only an Islamophobic party, but it is also a far-right party as well.
A PS councilperson from Nurmijärvi, Maiju Tapiolinna, filed charges against Hussein. She writes in a blog post: “However, this has to be thoroughly investigated since recently in Finland there is strong opposition to racism. I believe this is a very good matter, but we need to eradicate racism against Finns.”
She continues: “I will follow the accusations against Hussein to the end. It is my duty to the party and to my constituents.
Two questions arise from Topiolinna’s blog post: (1) Are these charges for real? A white Finn who claims there is racism towards people of her group? (2) are the PS an ethnic group?
Apart from the absurdity of Toppolinna’s charges against Hussein, they are a perfect example of what sociologist Robin Diangelo describes as white fragility.
Diangelo states in her best-selling book, “White Fragility,” that most white people “are absolutely not receptive to finding out their impact on other people.” She also mentions that the reaction caused by white fragility is nothing fragile but hostile.
https://youtu.be/kzLT54QjclA
The response to people like Hussein, who remind white Finns about their racism, is so hostile that many people of color prefer to remain quiet than get into a discussion about racism.
Tapiolinna’s plan to press charges against Hussein is, therefore, a good example of how white Finnish fragility reacts.
I commend Hussein for speaking out. If he wouldn’t speak out against the racism that has spread and been encouraged by the PS this decade, who would?
* 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.
Today marks the day when a white Norwegian terrorist called Anders Breivik murdered in cold blood 77 people. Mentally deranged? This is how some want to interpret such a vile act of terrorism.
One of the matters that the monstrous attack by Breivik has proven eight years after it happened is that we have a great ability to forget and cover up our racism with the help of collective amnesia with denial.
The system also produced Anders Breivik and 22/7. Source: Facebook.
But what can you expect? We have had centuries of training. European history is proof: initial horror is always covered up by collective amnesia.
Disagree?
Where are the news stories remembering this day of infamy?
After the horrors of World War 2, the Holocaust, genocide, and the persecution of minorities, we are witnessing in Europe today the rise of populist parties and politicians (with the toothless approval of mainstream parties) that parrot the same hatred that brought the same horrors of the past.
Wake up Europe or succumb to the horrors and wars of the past. People like Breivik is a toxic warnings that are watered and fed by our denial and racism.
The cartoon was originally posted on May 26, 2012.
Ever since he 2011 parliamentary elections, when the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party won 39 seats from 5 seats previously, we have never trusted this party even though the Finnish media gave it the benefit of the doubt.
Not only did the Finnish media give the PS the benefit of the doubt, but too many were fascinated by its racism and Timo Soini’s populism.
After three parliamentary elections, it is now clearer than ever before that the PS is not only an Islamophobic and populist party but far-right as well.
Migrant Tales was right to suspect and be critical of this party: The PS is not only a threat to our growing culturally diverse communities but to the whole country. Supporting such a party is like shooting our democracy and values in the head.
* 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.
Only MP Ozan Yanar, Jani Toivola and for about two years Nasima Razmyar, or 1.5% of all 200 MPs during the 2015-2019 term, were the only visible minorities in parliament. In the present 2019-2021 term, matters aren’t much better: Bella Forsgrén and Hussein al-Taee, who is on sick leave, are the only MPs who are visible minorities.
While there are many reasons why former Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s government was one of the most hostile towards visible migrants, especially Muslim asylum seekers, the Islamophobic Perussuomalaiset (PS)* played a crucial role in the government’s tightening of immigration policy and bolstering Finland’s hostile environment.
A group picture of Finland’s MPs taken in 2017. Can you spot a minority? Source: Eduskunta.
With the last parliamentary election in April, new hope arose when the Social Democrats, Green League, Center Party, Left Alliance, and Swedish People’s Party formed a new government.
Even if there is hope that this government will be less xenophobic than the previous one, all of the ministers in Prime Minister Rinne’s government are white. One positive matter, however, is that 11 of the 19 ministers are women.
Can you spot a minister that isn’t white in Prime Minister Antti Rinne’s government? Source: Yle.
So what do these two pictures tell us?
They clearly state that there is too little if no minority representation in parliament as MPs and in the government as ministers.
Am I hopeful that matters will change for the better during Prime Minister Rinne’s government?
Experience has taught me to see deeds first and then offer an opinion later.
* 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.
After Helsingin Sanomat Monday published a story where oddly termed four progressive US congresswomen of color as “people of migrant origin,” state broadcaster Yle used the same term on Monday for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and Ilhan Omar.
Even if Finland’s largest daily corrected the story, the old headline was still found in some tweets from Helsingin Sanomat.
Not only have members of “the Squad” revealed Trump’s racism towards people of color, but they helped expose it here in Finland and how our leading media talks about people who are not white.
Here is a simple definition for the media: If you are a USAmerican or Finnish citizen, you are a USAmrican and Finn. Considering the racism that exists in our societies, it is too much for some to stomach this fact.
This means that representatives Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, Pressley, and Omar are USAmericans who call themselves people of color. Disagree? Tell me a single person from the United States who isn’t of migrant origin.
The use of the term by some Finnish journalists shows how far off Finland still is from being an inclusive culturally and ethnically diverse society.
What do you think a congresswoman of the Squad would react if a Finnish journalist would refer to any of them in an interview as “people of migrant background?”
I suspect there would first be a smile and then irritation.
“Is that what you call people of color in Finland,” they may ask.
Monday’s story in Helsingin Sanomat. On the left is the first take and on the right the corrected version.
*White Finnish media story of the day highlights how the national media racializes Finland’s ever-growing culturally and ethnically diverse society by maintaining antiquated, even racist and exclusive views about who has the right to belong and call this country their home.
