Migrant Tales publishes on and off Finnish tabloid ads* (lööppi in Finnish) from the 1990s. Taking into account that Finland’s immigrant population started to grow during that decade, it is easy at least through some of the main stories of tabloids like Ilta-Sanomat and Iltalehti to see how some of them reflected our xenophobic, prejudiced, racist or anti-Russian views.
Tag: current-events
Social inclusion is vital to a well-functioning society
Why are we so passionate at Migrant Tales about immigrant and minority rights? Because such groups are effective measuring sticks that reveal the state of civil rights and democracy. The more social inclusion you succeed at promoting the healthier your society is.
Africa is a country: The geo-branding war
Geo-branding is a serious thing. It is particularly serious when people from other geographic areas decide to brand yourgeographical area and the people in it, the way they see fit and the way that fits their purposes. No other country, region or continent, I’d argue, suffers from other peoples’ nonsense as much as the continent of Africa. Actually, the reason why people generally and casually talk about Africa as one place is because of what Nigerian-American author C. P. Eze refers to as “their geo-branding war”.
Finland’s police service: see no, hear no, speak no hate crimes
Migrant Tales reported since the end of January some gruesome violent crimes against Muslims in Finland with the most recent one happening Wednesday. Two of these led directly to the violent death of a Somali and Moroccan native, both Finnish citizens. None of these were hate crimes, according to the police.
PS anti-immigration wing: “a new [Cadillac] model every year”
Helena Eronen, the parliamentary aide that suggested armbands for foreigners, is what Malcolm X said about racism and Cadillacs: They make a new model every year. The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party’s far-right anti-immigration wing led by MP Jussi Halla-aho have a new model: Helena Eronen.
Older woman assaulted at Myllypuro metro station in Helsinki
An older woman was attacked and sent to the hospital at Helsinki’s Myllypuro metro station, according to Metro’s April 26th edition. While the story does not state the ethnic background of the woman, Migrant Tales understands that the victim could be a Somali.
Aamulehti rape story: Minister Räsänen speaks out in favor of tougher sentences
The Aamulehti story that was published Wednesday claiming incorrectly that 34% of all rapes are committed by foreigners, has Christian Democrat Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen demanding on Iltalehti tougher sentences. Nowhere in the Iltalehti story nor does Räsänen mention numbers. The tabloid only states that one third of all rapes are done by foreginers.
Is the PS expecting a “catastrophic election result?”
The scandal ridden Perussuomalaiset (PS) is saving up for a rainy day if the party “suffers a catastrophic election result,” said PS Foundation chairman, Raimo Vistbacka. YLE’s Ajankohtainen kakkonen revealed that the PS Foundation bought a 1.7-million-euro apartment in one of Helsinki’s most expensive neighborhoods for the party’s headquarters.
The PS and the municipal election: Vicious campaign against immigrants and minorities
There are already clear signs that the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party has kicked off its vicious campaign and instigated social-media lynch mobs against immigrants and minorities as the October 28 municipal election nears. The Eronen-Hirvisaari scandal as well as publishing the names of two minors found guilty of rape are some recent examples of who the PS hopes to boost its depressing poll results.
The answer to our prejudices and racism in Finland lie in our emigrants
It’s clear that as Finland becomes more culturally diverse this century, it will one day make a startling discovery: we are culturally rich and diverse. Some of those historians and social scientsts that have kept us in the dark for now should reread their history over and over again until they get it right.