In Finland, some parties are openly racist, and others are more subtle about it. Both are dangerous to our community. The more we know about them, the better prepared we are to challenge such a menace.
Large opposition parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) have one matter in common: they loathe asylum seekers from outside the EU but rarely name the ethnic group directly.
In all respects, they are nothing more than cowardly bullies for treating vulnerable people like asylum seekers with such contempt.
Parties that profit politically off asylum seekers are such cowards that they usually speak in code. The term “asylum seeker” is used usually to signify Muslim as well as “person of migrant background,” when he’s not an asylum seeker.
Ever wonder why both these parties usually refuse to use the word “Muslim” or “Arab?” True, the PS no longer does but uses Afghans (and previously Somalis) in some of its postings like the one below, where it claims that keeping such people out of Finland and putting them in refugee camps in a neighboring country helps 50 refugees.
One Afghan to Finland costs as much as [helping] 50 people in bordering countries.”
When looking at xenophobic parties and politicians in Finland, the following question can help to figure them out: Will x help to make our society more inclusive or make matters worse?
It is a simple test that reveals a lot.
I use it all the time and recommend it to you.
