Tag: Finland

There is hope if racism thrives on ignorance and isolation

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

If racism thrives on ignorance and isolation, then there is hope but a lot has to be done. Instead of lowering oneself to the diatribe and hatred of anti-immigration groups, we must strive to find solutions. People who spread racism are by no means infallible. Racism is like Dracula. Not only does it live on by infecting the person, it cannot stand the light of day. 

Another weakness that racism has is that it is a loner and likes isolation.  That is why it loves attention sometimes because it is a chronic narcissist.

Our blogger, Asian, correctly pointed out that one of the challenges facing visible minorities in Finland is institutional racism. It is another silent culprit acting behind the scenes hindering integration and people from tapping their potential in our society.

Here is a good description of how institutional racism works in our society:  “Institutional racism is that which, covertly or overtly, resides in the policies, procedures, operations and culture of public or private institutions – reinforcing individual prejudices and being reinforced by them in turn.”

The suggestion by a former student that apart from accepting ourselves, we should strive as well to extend our hand of friendship to those that loathe us, is a very effective way of challenging such a social ill.

There is a lot of hatred out there in countries like Finland: the election in April and their sugar-coated arguments that constantly attempt to fool us by hiding the real face of racism by arguing the complete opposite.

Despite the challenges, our aim is not to run to a corner and become like those that want to confine us in prisons where we lose sight of things like purpose. Our aim is to be stronger than hatred.

We must come up with solutions. And there are many good ones out there from many of us. One of these made recently on Facebook was by Abdirahim Husu Hussein, a Center Party member, who is an example to many. He said: “I also think that we need [to strive for] 10% representation in all the municipalities [in the October municipal election].”

In other words, more immigrants and Finns with international backgrounds should seriously consider running for city council. This is crucial, especially during these times when an anti-immigration party has become one of the biggest in Finland.

Joining a political party is one solution out of many.

If we look at ways to get more power and recognition in Finland, it will certainly not happen as long as we remain passive and offer excuses like “Finland isn’t my country.”  Finland is our home. We must therefore show leadership by offering solutions. In simple English it means empowering yourself and taking control.

We will continue to be kicked around as a group as long as we don’t demand our rights and simultaneously extend our hand to those that loathe us.

If we don’t do anything we have nobody else to blame than ourselves.

It's hard for some to see racism when you are a white Finn

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

What does Finnish white privilege mean? Does it mean controlling almost all political, economic and social power in Finland? How do we address the issue?

One matter is certain: immigrants and visible minorities in Finland will never be able to challenge such a social ill by themselves. White Finns, Finns with international backgrounds, minorities and immigrants must unite and challenge racism and exclusion that threaten our society more than ever today.

Racism Review writes about such a campaign launched in the United States: “The focus of the campaign is very clearly on white people and this makes sense given the demographics of the region where the campaign is posting billboards.  The Twin Ports (Duluth, MN and Superior, WI) is a predominantly white community (89%).”

Sounds like a place in Finland.

“When race becomes a problem for anybody that is in our community it’s out problem,” says Don Nass, Twin Ports mayor. “We have a role in addressing it.”

Martin Éric asked about the Russian community in Finland, which faces a lot of discrimination in this country. A good point. We have visible and invisible minorities that face prejudice in this country.

Should we start a similar campaign in Finland to address this social ill that has for too long roamed near-freely in our society?

Could we start with a poster as the one above and publish it everywhere possible? Not interested?

If you still are uncertain about launching such a campaign, we must try harder and come up with a better campaign idea that will awaken and mobilize people to act.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=S6YPmqyOHrY#!]

The message of the campaign is simple: We are against racism in Finland. Integration through acceptance, respect and equal opportunities will not only strengthen our society but cost less to tax payers.

Labor immigrants in Finland: Who exploits whom?

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

Remember when some politicians pointed the finger accusingly at labor immigrants because they would fuel racism? Remember how these politicians claimed that immigrants would work for a pittance and thereby drive wages down? A story published by Kauhajoki-lehti reveals how Swedish construction group Skanska exploited its employees at a construction site by paying them 4-euro hourly wages  and a bowl of rice every day.

A story by Kansan Uutiset claims that such workers made 3 euros an hour and worked 12-hour shifts.

So who is to blame? The worker or the company? What about those who should be regulating such sites to ensure that everything is done legally?

Most of the immigrant workers in question are from Estonia, Kosovo, Russia and Poland.

Taking into account such cases, and there are many of them out there in Finland, it’s clear that some companies will exploit immigrant workers if given the opportunity. This doesn’t happen to Finns on such a scale because they are organized.

Unions should take care of immigrant workers as much as they do their own nationals.

Does this happen? Kauhajoki is a good example that it doesn’t.

Politicians in Finland who "shop" for your anti-immigration vote

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

Everyone needs to think, first of all, of themselves when it comes to education like an immigrant. How does an immigrant think? He thinks, nothing is owed me. I don’t have a place waiting for me at Harvard. I better understand the world I’m living in and boy, I better work harder than the next guy because I’ve got nothing else going for me. Thomas L. Freidman

The level of debate in Finland concerning immigrants and cultural diversity is still far from Freidman’s quote. Politicians who denigrate and insult immigrants and refugees as “welfare shoppers” hide the real motive behind their ludicrous claim: They are shopping for your vote.

What has happened to some of us? Those very values that made our country a good place to live in weren’t certainly built on greed. I personally enjoy being a member of my community and helping others. Many people in this country feel the same way as I.

One of the matters that I have noticed in the ongoing one-sided debate in Finland on immigrants and immigration is that some take criticism personally. They may ask: “How dare this person, who isn’t even a white Finn, dare criticize my country?!”

Nothing could be further from the truth. People who debate openly and question a social ill like racism and prejudice are should be seen as this country’s true “patriots.” Since when was apathy and spreading racism a constructive society-building process?

Such attitudes not only reveal the person’s low self-esteem but their arrogance. Some of them picture Finnish culture and Finland as something frail ready to wilt and die if it comes in contact with the outside world.

The crucial matter that stops some from overcoming their reactive arguments is acceptance of  “others.”  As we have stated on this blog previously, acceptance should be a mutual process.

A warning to all those that continue to spread urban tales about immigrants and minorities. What they write today will be read in the future. Do some of them want to look like a Finnish version of the Klu Klux Klan or someone who had a vision of the future?

We at Migrant Tales have chosen the latter route.

Harassment and abuse of Somalis in Finland picked up after the election

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

In many respects, the treatment of Somalis in Finland sadly reminds me of how blacks in the United States were excluded from society in the 1960s, when the civil rights movement was in full swing. Like in the United States, racism in Finland not only threatens our values as a society but questions who we are as a nation and people.  

Probably one reason why some Finns still deny that racism is a problem in this country is because it would be a costly matter to admit. For one, it would suck out much of the questionable credibility of some political parties and their politicians, who have made their political careers on spreading fear and suspicion of immigrants and minorities.

Contrary to popular belief, parties like the Perussuomalaiset (PS), which have capitalized politically by appealing to that anti-outside world and anti-immigrant streak in some Finns, are weakening not strengthening us as a country.

How can a nation that fought so nobly in the Winter War (1939-40) and created an exemplary social-welfare state that has today one of the best educational systems in the world have discrimination issues with a group like the Somalis? It is not only shameful but disgraces our society.

A story on Kainuun Sanomat claims that racist abuse and attacks on the Somali community in Finland started to rise after the April election, when the anti-immigration PS became the third-largest party in the Eduskunta (parliament).

Refugee of the year (2011), Saido Mohammed, said: “After the parliamentary election [Somalis that live in] Helsinki have said that they are spat at daily.”

Researcher Marja Tiilikainen reinforces Mohammed’s claim, stating that the election gave permission to people to harass Somalis in public.

The real enemies of this country are not immigrants but those who claim, with a poker face, that they aren’t racists.

Debate on racism against the Somali community in Finland resembles a dead battery

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

Taking into account the hostility and racism that Finland’s Somali community suffers, the news isn’t about racism that such nationals experience but how little has been done to address the issue. A story on YLE news Monday brings to light (again) what we all know about the country’s fourth-largest immigrant community: racism and exclusion are the rule, not the exception. 

One could ask a simple question concerning the situation. What has been done in Finland after an April 2009 survey by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) made its disturbing conclusions?  Let’s see…Yes, now I remember! We had an election in April which prized some in the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party with a ticket to parliament for spreading racist myths about groups like the Somalis.

It would be unfair to pin blame only the PS. What is even more shameful is that traditional parties that knew better hopped on the PS bandwagon and began to echo their rhetoric.

Helsingin Sanomat wrote the following after the FRA study was published almost two years ago: “When it comes to treatment at a bank or a shop, Finland’s Somalis emerged among the groups most discriminated against. However, compared with other countries’ minorities the Finnish Somalis were more informed of competent authorities who could give them support or advice. Yet some 69% of the interviewed Finnish Somalis said that they did not know of any organization that could offer them support services to victims of discrimination.”

If Finland is going to deal with racism it will have to address the discrimination that Somalis face in our society.

Showing the problem on national television is a step in the right direction. Even so, the YLE story is nothing more than jumper cables that attempt to kick start a dead battery of a car in -30C temperature.  Even if the car’s engine will start, we still haven’t resolved the problem, which is the existing battery.

Finland needs a new battery when debating and finding proactive solutions to the role of ever-growing racism in our society.

If you see racist abuse in public, film it and send it to Migrant Tales

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

It’s pretty clear that silence is an ineffective way to address a serious social ill like racism.  We can do a lot more. Filming  victims of racist abuse, like those published on Mail Online,  is a good way to drive home the message that we won’t tolerate this type of behavior from anyone.  

Migrant Tales would like to publish such video clips on our blog. The first and foremost matter to take into account is, however, your safety when filming. We don’t want to put you in harm’s way.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=710qYgDm3DM]

Here is some good advice that was given to me when I went to work in Bogotá as Colombia bureau chief for BridgeNews:  “No story is worth your life.”

Racism is a problem in Finland as it is in other European countries. Fortunately, there are many of us who are outraged by this type of anti-social behavior.

Don’t forget that there is far much more to the affirmation, racism isn’t an issue in our country, than meets the eye. When a person makes such a statement to you, he or she is saying you don’t effectively exist. If you don’t exist you have nothing to complain about.

It is a good way to make a social issue go away.

We, however, are not going to allow racism and bigotry get off the hook so easily. Send your video clips or get in touch with us by email,  [email protected].

Migrant Tales wants to hear your story

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

Thanks to you, Migrant Tales has achieved one of its most important aims: “To be a voice for those whose views and situation are understood poorly and heard faintly by the media, politicians and public.” In order to continue to be heard, we need more voices on Migrant Tales. 

We aim to publish stories in English, Finnish and any other language.

Do you have a real-life story to tell? Do you want to do it anonymously or with your real name? Then Migrant Tales is the blog where your voice will be heard by many.

Migrant Tales wants to continue as well to publish more scoops like we did with the tragic death of a Somali in Oulu.   If you know of a story and want to alert us, please write to us: [email protected].

We are interested as well in publishing poetry, short stories about life in Finland on our very own online “little magazine,” Migrant Tales Literary.

Thank you for your support.

Kokoomus' Sauli Niinistö is Finland's next president

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

Kokoomus presidential hopeful, Sauli Niinistö, won by a wide margin his rival Pekka Haavisto of the Green Party, according to YLE. With all of  the votes tabulated, Niinistö won 62.6% of the vote compared with 37.4% for Haavisto. 

The biggest losers of the election were not only the left but anti-EU candidates such as Paavo Väyrynen of the Center Party and Perussuomaliset (PS) party chairman Timo Soini. Both candidates came in third and fourth place, respectively, in the first round of voting.

Soini only captured 9.4% of the vote, which was a far cry from the 19.1% that his party won in April.

The biggest humiliation for the PS was that a Green Party candidate, who is openly gay, made it to the second round. Apart from being an anti-EU and anti-immigrant party, some PS members condemn homosexuality.

Some analysts see Soini’s poor showing as a tipping point for the PS as they face the crucial municipal election on October 28.

Even so, there are some in the PS like MP Reijo Tossavainen who can come up with some Twilight Zone explanations for the poor showing of the party and how the Green Party bubble burst. Tossavainen’s world on the Uusi Suomi blog entry reveals crudely who the PS are.

Tossavainen’s explanation sounds like what Soviet spies informed Stalin about Finland being a cakewalk before the Winter War (1939-40) broke out.

Another big loser of the election was Paavo Lipponen, a veteran Social Democrat politician who captured a mere 6.7% of the vote in the first round.

Finland has had after President Urho Kekkonen (1956-82) four Social Democrat presidents that have ruled the country for 30 years.

That has now come to an end.

Finns vote today for their next president

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

While the biggest victor of today’s presidential election in Finland is democracy, I cannot help but look way past the awaiting fanfare of Sunday evening , when we’ll be hearing the victory speech of either Pekka Haavisto of the Green Party or Kokoomus’ Sauli Niinistö.  

In many respects, Finnish voters decided in the first round  of the election that they do not want a cliffhanger repeat of what we saw in April nor a president that is anti-EU, anti-immigration and colorblind with respect to our country’s ever-growing cultural diversity.

During the past ten-odd months, Finns have not only come to know racism, homophobia and anti-democratic credentials of some of the PS MPs, but the lame excuses justifying such shameful examples.

Few will deny that Finland faces many big challenges in the next six years. In many respects, our values will determine how we address those challenges. What kind of leadership will Haavisto and Niinistö offer Finns and immigrants living in the country on how to tackle ever-rising poverty, social inequality, streamlining costs that will weaken our social welfare state, and our general view of the outside world?

Should we invest more on programs that fuel social equality or on fear of ourselves and the outside world through institutions like the police and defense forces?

When I go to vote today, I will be weighing these issues.