Tag: Racism

Demand your right to be a Finn on your own cultural and ethnic terms

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

One of my biggest problems I had in challenging institutional racism in Finland was that I accepted being a member of such an order of things. Even if I had every right to claim Finnish identity from my mother’s side, I did not do so because I reinforced with my silence the stereotypical and even racist views that some Finns held about people like me.  

Many of us Finns with international backgrounds are a Perussuomalaiset (PS) party’s worst nightmare. Everything about us defies their bigoted and even racist view of the outside world and, importantly, who has the right to be accepted as a Finn.

You will find amongst us tens of thousands of people from all walks of life and backgrounds: blacks, whites, Orientals, Amerindians, Southern Europeans, Middle Easterners, young, old, blondes, people with dark hair, bald people, short, tall, thin, obese, gays, lesbians, Jews, Catholics, Lutherans, Muslims and atheists.

Despite our different backgrounds, there is one matter that unites us as a community: Finland.

Even if my journey to discover my Finnishness on my own terms took many decades of searching, I sincerely hope that your journey to discover your Finnish identity will be much shorter than mine. Don’t give in to those who loathe you by excluding you with their spiteful arguments or those who try to rob you of one of your most precious matters: your identity.

Even if it sounds inconceivable, there are people in this country who still believe in 2012 that everything must be done to keep Finland an only white society. We must not allow them to carry out their treachery.

History is another culprit that reinforces institutional racism and reinforces our strong sense of “us” and “them.” It seems that we are constantly praising those who are dead and wars that ended many decades ago. We speak of these heros and wars as if they are the only great accomplishments that this country ever made.

Every time we travel back in time to former wars and glorify late marshals and generals, we end up emphasizing our suspicion of those people and countries that wanted to put us in harm’s way.

Even if I respect the people who fought in those wars, we must learn move on and look to the future.

The sooner we do this the better.

A possible cartoon depicting white privilege in Finland

Posted on by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

The cartoon below pictures pretty well how white privilege works in the United States, according to Bicultural Mom. How would the same cartoon look if we’d draw it for Finland? 

Would white Finn be looking at the black person from a much higher height and state: “We are a good country that believes in social equality (tasa-arvo). You have a right to most of our social services but we’ll deny you one very important matter.”

There is a pause of silence and then the white Finns speaks:  “I will keep that a secret from you because you are supposed to figure it out.”

The white Finn looks away from the black person and whispers to you: “That secret is equal opportunities.”

The image above is one of many anti-racism cartoons that you can find on Ampersand by Barry Deutsch.

Do we know any artists out there who would like to do cartoons for Migrant Tales?

Thank you Glenn Robinson’s Community Village Daily Activist for the heads up! 

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.

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.

Migrant Tales 2009: Being an immigrant in Finland – a letter from Ida

Posted on by Migrant Tales

The Migrant Tales blog gets emails from people who speak with hand on heart about the challenges they face as immigrants or Finnish with international backgrounds in our society. Here is one of these published in November 2009. The real name of the person has been changed. Here is a letter from Ida:

The underlying problem in Finland is that [white] Finns can never fully understand what racism is if they have never played that role of being a minority. They can fill all the facts and knowledge of the books in their heads but still can never understand what the true meaning behind racism is.  And there is no arguing with them because they already know all the facts and figures.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I can’t change people’s minds about certain things [like racism]. They have their own mindset of things. Hell, it took me pretty long time to re-wire my brain to think differently after all that brainwashing in Finland. Imagine, I used to have prejudices against [my own group the] Chinese. It would take a lot more for  Finns to think more open-mindedly.

I spent almost all my adult life [trying] to find acceptance and proving to myself that I was one of them. I did all this at the expense of my identity. Well, now I am just tired. I am who I am and I don’t need their acceptance. I don’t need to be one of them. And I am happy that I have found a country where otherness is cherished and celebrated and where I don’t need to hide or be ashamed of being Chinese. Finland can never be my home because I can never feel comfortable enough to be myself there. And they will never see me as one of them either. So, that’s that.

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.