Some claim that one should forgive some Finns for their outrageous statements on immigrants and refugees since they are fuelled by ignorance. If there are serious shortcomings in our immigration and integration policy it can be blamed on our lack of experience.
Employment of immigrants in Sweden
Here is a neat article in Zuzeeko’s blog about employment of immigrants in Sweden. According to the article, 41% of the cleaners in Sweden are immigrants.
A-Talk: What is wrong with the Social Democrats?
At least for me, the debate on immigration on A-Talk on Thursday was a disappointment. The only sensible persons on the show were Anni Sinnemäki of the Greens and Jyrki Katainen of Kokoomus. The two opposition leaders, Jutta Urpilainen of the Social Democrats (SDP) and Timo Soini of the True Finns were a disappointment filling the airways with hollow catchwords that reeked of populism, protectionism and heavy doses of obnoxious nationalism.
Keskisuomalainen’s incredulous editorial on immigration
Here is a good example of an editorial in Jyäskylä-based Keskisuomalainen that shows how little the top editors of the newspaper understand immigration. If the editorial were written in the Washington Post, Financial Times or El País of Madrid, the editor would probably get the boot for making negligent statements and for practising lazy opinionated journalism.
Racism is a silent ogre
I have been an exchange student living in Finland from Belgium since February. One of the matters that caught my eye in Mikkeli is racism. I have met many immigrants and foreign students who have told me about their experiences.
Finnish Social Democrats explain controversial immigration stance
Finnish Social Democratic Party (SDP) chairperson Jutta Urpilainen explained (in Finnish) in an MTV3 blog what she meant by stating immigrants must abide by Finnish laws (“maassa maan tavalla” polcy).
Should immigrants in Finland commission a poll?
It seems bit tragic-comic that we have had two important polls published in Helsingin Sanomat on Finnish attitudes of immigrants. The latest one published by Finland’s leading daily was commissioned by anti-immigrant website Hommaforum. Both of these surveys show during a deep recession Finns don’t want more immigrants, refugees and tighter controls.
Obama’s mother had the right idea about cultures
President Barack Obama remembered his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro, as “the most generous spirit I have ever known.” In a touching article in The New York Times, we get a view of this remarkable woman who understood the beauty and strength of diversity. Having been raised in Kansas, her first husband was from Kenya and the second one from Indonesia.
PÄÄKIRJOITUS: Onko rasismi vallannut Suomen?
Ottaen huomioon maamme pienen maahanmuuttajien ja pakolaisten luvun, mitä olemme tehneet väärin ansaitaksemme tulla opportunisten politikoiden ja heidän puolueidensa päivittäisistä maallikko-solvauksista, rasismista ja herjauksista? Jopa sosiaalidemokraatit, puolue, joka on taistellut työläisten ja vähävaraisten etuuksista, näyttää lähestyneen perussuomalaisten maahanmuuttopolitiikkaa.
The sad case of Somalis in Finland
Below is a good example of how a public official’s comments helps strengthen racism and stereotypes of certain ethnic groups living in Finland. One of the biggest flaws in the arguments of anti-immigrant groups is that they incorrectly believe that cultures don’t change and therefore different groups are incompatible. I hope that the same stance as these far-right groups hasn’t overtaken the Finnish Immigration Service when we speak of the Somalians.