I’m surprised that the media and politicians are surprised by far-right Finns Party (PS)Interior Minister Mari Rantanen’s double-talk about favoring Christians over Muslims in next year’s quota refugee pick. Rantanen’s fishy denials that next year’s selection of quota refugees had anything to do with preferring Christians over Muslims, prompted the non-discrimination ombudsman to do some…
Tag: Cultural diversity
SomaliFinnPodcast#2: Everyone should be heard and respected
In Finland, immigrant-background families are often treated differently than other families when it comes to seeking help for their children. Mahad Sheikh Musse, a multicultural youth work professional with over 20 years of experience, contends that this practice creates inequality and alienates families from support services. He emphasizes that cultural backgrounds should not dictate the…
MTV reporter Ivan Puopolo has zero credibility
MTV reporter Ivan Puopolo must be the most opinionated reporter working for the mainstream media. His reporting is not credible because he breaks one of the golden rules of journalism: do not editorialize in your stories. Puopolo’s interviews and stories are full of toxic opinions. Apart from his non-existent credibility, he does a lot of…
Yahya Rouissi: When only BURANA* helps to understand the political headache
In my opinion In Finland, the far-right can be understood as an underlying connection of ideological alignment shared between political parties, political groups within parties, individuals. Ideological outlooks that are characterized by extreme nationalist, anti-immigrant, and too often racist views. These groups typically promote the preservation of a perceived “pure” or “authentic” white Finnish identity,…
A future in the rearview mirror: Four years of reflection of an immigrant in Finland
As the ‘car’ is effectively unreliable so there were more than just frequent stops to fuel more hate and share some racism to ‘touch base’ and distract the curious followers questioning the destination.
Culturally Diverse Finland Has A History
Tales from Europe: Dr. Faith Mkwesha and the Ubuntu Nordic Academy’s quest for unity in Western societies
Western societies can move toward a more communal and inclusive mindset, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of shared responsibility. In a world often characterized by individualism, Ubuntu promotes empathy, cooperation, and mutual support – essential elements for addressing societal challenges…
President Sauli Niinistö’s last dance
THE OPINION PIECE WAS UPDATED Much of Finland’s hostility towards asylum seekers and visible minorities lies on President Sauli Niinistö, who hosts today his last Independence Day gala. For some, like me, this is good news. Hopefully, Finland’s next president will have a greater understanding of migrants, cultural diversity and peace-building. Ahti Tolvanen, who is…
Questioning dual citizenship rights is another indication of Finland’s path to greater insularity
Why is the dual citizenship issue being raised again by Yle? According to a survey of MPs, 34 would block dual Finnish-Russian citizenship, while 36 said they would not. Twenty-six had no opinion. Is it surprising that the majority of MPs who want to restrict dual citizenship are members of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* and National…
Tales from Europe: Luxembourg’s first ever Black History Month event
At One People ASBL, our most cherished quote is: “Anti-racism is a team sport.” Celebrating Black History Month is a diverse and inclusive event that highlights and promotes the rich culture and history of the Afro community. It caters to people of all backgrounds, including children, youths, entrepreneurs, and employees. The event includes a wide…