Migrant tales
Menu
  • #MAKERACISMHISTORY “In Your Eyes”
  • About Migrant Tales
  • Literary
  • Migrant Tales Media Monitoring
  • NoHateFinland.org
Menu

The answer to our prejudices and racism in Finland lie in our emigrants

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Migrant Tales

By Enrique Tessieri

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 scientists that have kept us in the dark for now should reread their history over and over again until they get it right. 

One of the most interesting questions about why we don’t acknowledge our cultural diversity enough in Finland is the question itself. Why hasn’t it been acknowledged? In which groups’ interest has it been to not stir things too much on this front?

As a person with a culturally diverse background who is a Finn, I have always been amazed by the simplistic and fictitious ethnic and national view we have of ourselves as Finns.

Today there are officially over 50,000 couples in this country that are bicultural, according to the Population Research Institute (Väestöliitto).

But like all far-reaching discoveries you will most likely find the answer under your nose.

All of those Finnish emigrants that left this country in large numbers from the 1880s not only faced a brave new world but a culturally diverse one as well.  What role did their whiteness play in integration and in shaping attitudes of other groups?

What did the Finns think of blacks in the United States and what were their attitudes towards Amerindians? What did they think about marrying outside the group? What did some members of their community say if their spouse was black?

All these questions that were relevant well over a century ago are topical today in Finland. The only problem, however, is that for some reason we have avoided looking into this question.

It’s clear that some immigrant parents not only want their children to retain their customs but marry within the group. This was an important goal for some parents but became less important for the children never mind grandchildren.

One of the discoveries I made while doing fieldwork on a Finnish colony in Argentina from 1977 was their view of other ethnicities like blacks from Brazil and mestizos, a term used to describe people who have mixed European and Amerindian ancestry.  The darker the person, usually implied greater rejection from the community.

The way they rejected such bicultural marriages was with the help of prejudice and racism. Some actually believed that marrying a mestizo would condemn you to a life of poverty.  All the bad qualities of the white Finnish colonizer were the fault of the mestizo spouse.

Some of these racist attitudes and prejudices that some colonizers had of other groups were not only learned in Argentina but came from Europe.

I have a lot of data gathered through long interviews of how some Finns viewed other groups that were ethnically different. If I have such information I am certain that this type of information can be found among Finns that emigrated to North America, Africa and other parts of the world.

If researchers are serious about studying racism in Finland, they should look under their noses. The information is there waiting to be uncovered.

Category: Enrique

49 thoughts on “The answer to our prejudices and racism in Finland lie in our emigrants”

  1. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 6:50 am

    How I hate this “culturally rich and diverse” blabling. Finnish culture by itself already is RICH and DIVERSE. There are lots of forgotten, ancient things from Finnish culture, which are just waiting to be brougth to modern world. And about enriching. Finns can “enrich” their culture themselves by adopting and borrowing things from other cultures. There IS NO NEED FOR IMMIGRANTS IN THAT, because Finns themselves can bring non-Finnish things to their culture.

    I see disrespect towards Finns and Finnish culture from Enrique’s side. What Enrique is saying is that Finnish culture is POOR (thus “need in enrichment”). Which is, of course, not true. Has he ever thought that instead of “enriching” the bringing up forgotten old things would work better? Nope, because it just doesn’t fit his agenda.

    Reply
    1. Migrant Tales says:
      April 23, 2012 at 6:54 am

      –I see disrespect towards Finns and Finnish culture from Enrique’s side. What Enrique is saying is that Finnish culture is POOR (thus “need in enrichment”).

      Some of us through history and our views of ourselves have lived in denial. It’s not that Finnish culture is “poor.” The interesting question is why. The answer you will uncover will tell a lot of things about who we are and why.

      Reply
  2. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Enrique, what do you mean by “denial”?

    I want to tell you, that I have been living and grown up in traditional culture in Asian part of Russia. The one you would call “backwards” or “old-times”. I lived in village where was no running water, no centralised heating etc. There was electricity, though. I have been visiting also more removed inhabited places, where people lived like their ancestors lived 100 years ago. They kept cattle, and kept moving with them. These people often lived in yurts of light construction, which was easy to dissolve and pack. But modernity has had reached them. They used some modern inventions, like radio or motocycle. In the same time these people hold up to their original culture and traditions. The culture was and is extremely rich. There were so many folk hero tales, so many versions of traditional costume, so varied music and music instruments etc. I didn’t see nobody longing for “enrichment”. And still nowdays, thankfully, this culture continues to exist, although there is increasing danger that it will some day dissapear (youngsters more and more often switch to globalised “general European” cultre)
    I guess Finnish culture in old times was just as rich, and varied. Then at some point Finns decided to replace their culture into “general European” one. Which made to loose original Finnish cultural richness and variety. So it continued until nowdays, when some people, like Enrique, seeing Finnish “general European” culture, decided that it “must be enriched” by original cultures of other people, but not by Finnish own original culture.

    Reply
    1. Migrant Tales says:
      April 23, 2012 at 7:26 am

      Lapitus, I advise you to read well what I write instead of jumping to conclusions about what you think I wrote.

      I have never said that Finnish culture is “backwards.” Those are your perceptions. What I am saying, however, is that this diversity and richness that you are speaking of has been denied by Finnish culture. It is like we haven’t grown out of our eugenics classes from before World War 2 and continue to see ourselves in that way. Even up to the 1970s some history books divided Finns into two “races.” That is my point. Finnish culture is very rich but for some reason we have limited our definition of it.

      Reply
  3. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 7:57 am

    I see that I have to disagree. Finnish culture by definition is culture created and/or accepted, adopted by Finnish people. Is it this limitation you speak about? Is it what you tie to “eugenics classes”? It all sounds as if Finnish people have no rights to their own culture. You sound as if you want to deny rights for Finns (or other ethnic groups) to have own culture, unique and different or similar from other cultures.

    Reply
    1. Migrant Tales says:
      April 23, 2012 at 8:06 am

      –I see that I have to disagree. Finnish culture by definition is culture created and/or accepted, adopted by Finnish people.

      Who are the Finnish people? Your view of ethnicities and national groups is exclusive not inclusive.

      Reply
    2. Mark says:
      April 23, 2012 at 8:10 am

      Laputis

      Only an imbecile would think that is what Enrique meant.

      Reply
  4. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 8:49 am

    Enrique:

    “Who are the Finnish people? Your view of ethnicities and national groups is exclusive not inclusive.”

    Oh Enrique, it seems that you never learn to distinguish ethnicities from national groups? How many times needs to be repeated that ethnicity is partly inherited feature, linked to language, culture etc., but national group is connected to country and citizenship? Why do you keep confusing them two? And why you don´t want to invent name “Finlanders” for national group from Finland?
    In Russian language there is “Rossijanin” for Russian nationals, i.e. people, who hold Russian passport and are from Russia, and there is “Russkij” for ethnic Russian, which is at least partially inherited feature, and linked to Russian language (as native tongue), Russian culture etc.

    And I remind you, that ethnic group is more important feature than national group, because, as I said before, countries can collapse, can cease to exist etc. But ethnic groups can survive in any condition.

    Talking about exclusivity and inclusivity. National group is inclusive, while ethnic group is exclusive. Since these are two different things, then they also have different features.

    Ethnicity is more exclusive than inclusive in Old World. Recently I have been talking with people from Lapland. We started to talk about Saami people. They told me that many Saami feel irritated by people, who don´t have Saami origins, but call themselves “Saami”. There are enough many “Saami-wannabes”, people, who have learned to speak Saami language to almost perfection, wear Saami traditional clothes etc., and regard themselves as “Saami”. But many ethnic Saami refuse to consider those “Saami-wannabes” as Saami. Not because of racism or something like that, but because ethnicity to them is something linked to blood-line. “Saaminess” must be inherited, at least partially.
    I understand that Saami exclusion of other people out of their ethnic group might be bad thing. Because Saami themselves are not numerous, and it might be in interests of Saami people themselves to “let more people in” their ethnic group, so that Saami ethnicity would grow more numerous. But, as you can see, things don´t work in this way. The understanding of “ethnicity” is connected to inheritance.

    Reply
    1. Migrant Tales says:
      April 23, 2012 at 8:53 am

      Lapitus, the Finns are a national group where as the Saami are not.They are what we’d call indigenous.

      Your argument that Finns are like some “frail indigenous group” on the verge of extinction is what far-right groups argue in Finland.

      Sorry, but no cigar.

      Reply
  5. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 9:10 am

    Enrique, you are wrong. Utterly wrong. Finns are indigenous people. Besides that, there were first Finns, and only then country Finland. There would be no Finland without Finns preceding it. It´s not like Argentina, where first was country Argentina, after which came creation of nation Argentinians. In Finland it´s other way round. It was ethnic group Finns (and Finnish-Swedes), which created country Finland.
    Russia is a mixed case. Russia was created by ethnic Russians, but during history it was conquered by Tatars, then other way round (Russia conquered Tatars), then Russia conquered other non-Russian lands etc. Russians themselves are a) indigenous people in places, which were inhabited by ethnic Russians for many centuries b) non-indegenous people in places, which are still inhabited by non-Russian people.
    Let´s compare to English people:
    a) they are indigenous people in England
    b) they are non-indigenous in Australia, New Zealand, USA etc.

    Finns are indigenous people in Finland by all means, except maybe in far north in Lapland

    Reply
  6. Mark says:
    April 23, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Laputis

    Let´s compare to English people:
    a) they are indigenous people in England
    b) they are non-indigenous in Australia, New Zealand, USA etc.

    Uhhhh….you’re joking, right? You do realise that the ‘English’ were among only a group of migrants to the British Isles, with many migrations before and since, including Celts, Gaels, Picts, Angles, Saxons, Juts, Normans, Romans and vikings from various parts of Scandanavia.

    This putting of people into neat, homogenous boxes does not work out too well. You do realise that Finns as a nation have some of the most diverse genetics of any European people – meaning that the some Finns are more remote genetically from other Finns than they are from other Europeans.

    Sort that little soup out! Or better still, forget it and just let people be what they want to be, and stop all this ‘wannabe-‘ nonsense. It’s really insulting. I’m guessing that your Saami friends didn’t come up with that term! I know, because I’ve see you using it before.

    Reply
  7. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 10:20 am

    Mark, did you even read what I wrote? I said “people from Lapland”, not “Saami friends”. When will you learn to read accurately?

    And then another issue. Things change, they are not constant. Like, status of “immigrants” and “locals”. English people were immigrants thousand years ago, but not anymore. English people have lived enough long in England to consider themselves native there. Especially because there are no “non-English” left. I don´t talk about Scotland or Whales BTW. I speak about England.
    You, Mark, was child some time ago, weren´t you? But you are not child anymore, you are adult man now. This is example about how things are not constant, and how they can change and transfer from one status to another.
    So it goes also with transition of “immigrants” into “locals” and indegenous people”. Like, English people were immigrants thousands years ago in England, but nowdays they are native people there. Finns also came from somewhere thousands years ago, but since, they have lived so long in Finland, THOUSANDS of years, they can be regarded as “native”, “indigenous” people in Finland. The Finnish culture has adopted to the local climate, conditions etc. within that timeframe.
    IMO what tells apart “native” people from “immigrants” is the adoption to local conditions of the “natives”. Example – Russians are immigrants in Siberia still nowdays because Siberian Russian culture hasn´t adopted well to Siberian climate and conditions. The Siberian Russians still nowdays often build buildings which are not adopted to local conditions (f.e. when building some government houses they make outdoor stairs from marmor, which become unbelievably slippery in -40 C conditions). The Sakha people (Yakuts), on other hand, are native people in Yakutia. Even though they have arrived to Yakutia only in 15-16th century. The Sakha people have adopted to local conditions extremely well. They have even special horse breed which is adopted to super-cold Yakutian winters.

    Finnish culture is well-adopted to Finnish climate. Finnish food can be great for winter conditions, it keeps you warm when you are outside etc. Finnish food has also summer etc. varieties. Now let´s compare to f.e. Thai food. It´s not adopted to Finland´s climate. You see?

    Reply
    1. Migrant Tales says:
      April 23, 2012 at 10:31 am

      –Finnish culture is well-adopted to Finnish climate. Finnish food can be great for winter conditions, it keeps you warm when you are outside etc. Finnish food has also summer etc. varieties.

      This is what is happening: Human beings are well adpted to any climate. People adapt. That’s what makes us survive. If you add baloney like genes tell me how to behave in my dreams then you are going back to pre-WW2 and that whole very racist/ethnocentric way of looking at yourself.

      Today we are globalized, mobile and on the move. Racism is exactly what I am said: It steals people time by forcing them to lose opportunities.

      Reply
  8. Mark says:
    April 23, 2012 at 10:45 am

    Laputis

    Mark, did you even read what I wrote? I said “people from Lapland”, not “Saami friends”. When will you learn to read accurately?

    Ah, well that makes sense. You were not talking to Saami people about how Saami people are classifying non-Saami. I mean, it’s very practical to figure out what a group of people think about something by….asking someone else!

    English people have lived enough long in England to consider themselves native there. Especially because there are no “non-English” left. I don´t talk about Scotland or Whales BTW. I speak about England.

    Yep, just dig yourself deeper….and what about the Cornish? And what about the many many thousands of Welsh, Scottish and Irish that moved and settled in England, many of them helping to build up Empire ports like Southampton and Liverpool?

    You are talking rubbish as usual!!

    Reply
  9. Mark says:
    April 23, 2012 at 10:46 am

    Look Laputis

    Rather than pretend to be an anthropologist, why don’t you actually go and study some anthropology!

    Reply
  10. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 11:00 am

    Migrant Tales, you will be surprised to know how human beings are not always adopted to every climate or condition. Siberia is example. Did you know that Russian women have far more often gynaecological problems than native Siberian women have? It´s all simple. Russian women f.e. sometimes walk with mini-skirts and tights in -40 C weather! How it would not create inflammation in certain organs? That´s extreme example, but in overall Russians think less about such consequences than native people. That shows how Russian culture is not adopted to Siberian winter. The attitude already is part of culture.
    There are also other signs of adoption or non-adoption to certain climates. Look at Somali dark skin, which is adopted to African climate. I sometimes worry about poor Somali people, when I see them in Helsinki – how can they live there? Isn´t it bad to their health, or something? Defeciency of D vitamin? Too moisture air, which can be bad for their respiratory system?
    Same attitude I have to blonde and light-skinned Europeans living in Australia (especially Northern Australia). How can they live there? Aren´t they afraid from skin cancer? Don´t they suffer from terrible heat?

    I don´t support excessive globalisation and movement around for that simple reason that people can end up living in places which make them to feel bad and suffer.

    Reply
  11. Mark says:
    April 23, 2012 at 11:12 am

    God, you wouldn’t believe there are people in the world that could have ideas like this about other people, I mean serious, thinking that they couldn’t live here….

    I sometimes worry about poor Somali people, when I see them in Helsinki – how can they live there? Isn´t it bad to their health, or something? Defeciency of D vitamin? Too moisture air, which can be bad for their respiratory system?

    Oxygen is a poison to our body, but we get by with it, Laputis. Gosh, don’t you think it’s time your broadened your view of the world?

    Reply
  12. Mark says:
    April 23, 2012 at 11:14 am

    Laputis

    I don´t support excessive globalisation and movement around for that simple reason that people can end up living in places which make them to feel bad and suffer.

    Is that the only reason? Or is it ‘the Reason of Day – for why those Africans can stay in Africa – unless you are white of course!

    Reply
  13. BlandaUpp says:
    April 23, 2012 at 12:57 pm

    Laputis

    “I sometimes worry about poor Somali people, when I see them in Helsinki – how can they live there? Isn´t it bad to their health, or something? Defeciency of D vitamin? Too moisture air, which can be bad for their respiratory system?”

    I sometimes worry about poor White people, when I see them in Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Florida etc – how can they live there? Isn´t it bad to their health, or something? Defeciency of melanin leading to skin cancer? Too hot air, which can be bad for their respiratory system?

    See you stupid you sound?

    Reply
  14. eyeopener says:
    April 23, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Hi Clapotis.

    What are you doing here?? I sometimes think that people with this yellow skin, how can they live here in Finland. No adoption to the climate whatsoever.

    “I don’t support excessive globalization and movement….” Are you a doctor?? Psychologist?? Dermathologist?? But I like your second part “…..the simple reason that people CAN end up……” Not so sure about your diagnosis do you Clapotis. Bad analysis after all.

    You seem to forget (lack of historical knowledge, i guess) that Finns are immigrants in their country as well. So don’t use other peoples to defend Finland belongs to the Finns. Originally this was Saami country, remember!! Blind eye!

    Thai food?? Doesnot fit in Finnish climate?? Clapotis. Do me a favor and watch Finnish TV. And see how many cooking programs promote ALL kinds of food for all over the world. To be enjoyed.

    Finnish food is more than OK but it is not the only food that’s good for people even in Finnish climate. Think off. we live in 2012. Not 2012BC.

    Get it, Clapotis?? No, eat some seal brains. Lots of vitamines.for ignorant people.

    Reply
  15. I am says:
    April 23, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    Originally this was Saami country, remember!!
    Thanks eyeopener, hi, how r u,
    I knew that.
    Smile

    Reply
  16. eyeopener says:
    April 23, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Hi I am

    I am fine and enjoying my life in Finland.

    Smile too

    Huggie

    Reply
  17. I am says:
    April 23, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    Thanks for hug eyeopener
    Hugs back
    Smile 3

    Reply
  18. eyeopener says:
    April 23, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    🙂
    Smiles too. I like your humour most of the timess. Sometimes more serious??

    Reply
  19. I am says:
    April 23, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    Smiles 2 million my dear friend eyeopener.
    He he he
    Thank u for understanding me.
    I love people
    Sending u a fat bear hug (((((((((( eyeopener))))))))))

    Reply
  20. eyeopener says:
    April 23, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!
    hugs4U

    Reply
  21. D4R says:
    April 23, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    Laputis: How I hate this “culturally rich and diverse” blabling. Finnish culture by itself already is RICH and DIVERSE. There are lots of forgotten, ancient things from Finnish culture, which are just waiting to be brougth to modern world. And about enriching. Finns can “enrich” their culture themselves by adopting and borrowing things from other cultures. There IS NO NEED FOR IMMIGRANTS IN THAT, because Finns themselves can bring non-Finnish things to their culture.

    I see disrespect towards Finns and Finnish culture from Enrique’s side. What Enrique is saying is that Finnish culture is POOR (thus “need in enrichment”). Which is, of course, not true. Has he ever thought that instead of “enriching” the bringing up forgotten old things would work better? Nope, because it just doesn’t fit his agenda.

    I see, you want to borrow from other cultures say like food and drinks stuff like that but you don’t want to do anything with the people? typical of Finn of you.

    Reply
  22. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Mark:

    “God, you wouldn’t believe there are people in the world that could have ideas like this about other people, I mean serious, thinking that they couldn’t live here….”

    Did you ever ASK any southerner or easterner how is their health in Finland? Seriously, you are idiot. I know people who suffer from arthritis, tonsilitis etc. only when they have moved to Baltic sea area (I mean Finland, St.Petersburg, Latvia etc.)
    I myself suffer from bronchitis in mild version here in Finland. It dissapears when I return back to my homeland. The air is indeed wet in Finland, although it varies from region to region. I must say that I hate marine climate.

    Reply
    1. Mark says:
      April 23, 2012 at 4:59 pm

      Laputis

      The doctors have told me here several times that the air is dry!!! lololol

      Reply
  23. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    BlandaUpp:

    “I sometimes worry about poor White people, when I see them in Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Florida etc – how can they live there? Isn´t it bad to their health, or something? Defeciency of melanin leading to skin cancer? Too hot air, which can be bad for their respiratory system?

    See you stupid you sound?”

    No, you yourself are stupid, honey. I don´t really understand white people with fair pigmentation who live in Northern Brasil, South Africa, Australia (especially North) and similar tropic areas. I actually mentioned white people in Australia, read my post above. Sun radiation is damn strong there.
    Argentina and Florida are not so extreme places.

    Reply
  24. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    Eyeopener:

    “Hi Clapotis.

    What are you doing here?? I sometimes think that people with this yellow skin, how can they live here in Finland. No adoption to the climate whatsoever.”

    Well, yellow-skinned people can have troubles with respiratory system (like I have). But I must say that I am already from quite northern latitudes originally, I am used to cold winters and harsh weather. Some adoption I do have 😉

    Reply
  25. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    Eyeopener:

    “You seem to forget (lack of historical knowledge, i guess) that Finns are immigrants in their country as well. So don’t use other peoples to defend Finland belongs to the Finns. Originally this was Saami country, remember!! Blind eye!”

    Saami country? Since when Saami have ever had a country?
    It´s not good to be ignorant, but to be stupid is even worse.
    Finland is created by Finns. Read history books. Educate yourself.

    And considering Saami, I wish they could get their own country up in the North. I mean, Saami from all Nordic countries would unite, and create together own country. Thumbs up for Saami independence!

    Reply
  26. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Eyeopener:

    “Thai food?? Doesnot fit in Finnish climate?? Clapotis. Do me a favor and watch Finnish TV. And see how many cooking programs promote ALL kinds of food for all over the world. To be enjoyed.”

    The Finns lately borrow almost all globalised crap, whether it´s good for them or not. They eat Thai food, and in the same time don´t know what pelmens are (pelmens are eaten in neighbour Russia and in Estonia). That makes me to think that there is something indeed weird going on in Finland.

    It´s from series like Russians live in extreme North in Russia, next to their settlement live native reindeer herders, who could offer reindeer meat (which has extremely good nutrients very well suited for cold winters), but instead buying and eating it, the Russians import cow or pig meat far away from f.e. Moscow region. They eat meat which is less suitable for extreme North than reindeer meat.

    Yeah, so many things to wonder about in life…

    Reply
  27. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    D4R

    “I see, you want to borrow from other cultures say like food and drinks stuff like that but you don’t want to do anything with the people? typical of Finn of you.”

    I am not Finn. I am yellow-skinned, slanty-eyed Asian. 😉

    Reply
  28. D4R says:
    April 23, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    Laputis:Migrant Tales, you will be surprised to know how human beings are not always adopted to every climate or condition. Siberia is example. Did you know that Russian women have far more often gynaecological problems than native Siberian women have? It´s all simple. Russian women f.e. sometimes walk with mini-skirts and tights in -40 C weather! How it would not create inflammation in certain organs? That´s extreme example, but in overall Russians think less about such consequences than native people. That shows how Russian culture is not adopted to Siberian winter. The attitude already is part of culture.
    There are also other signs of adoption or non-adoption to certain climates. Look at Somali dark skin, which is adopted to African climate. I sometimes worry about poor Somali people, when I see them in Helsinki – how can they live there? Isn´t it bad to their health, or something? Defeciency of D vitamin? Too moisture air, which can be bad for their respiratory system?
    Same attitude I have to blonde and light-skinned Europeans living in Australia (especially Northern Australia). How can they live there? Aren´t they afraid from skin cancer? Don´t they suffer from terrible heat?

    Somalis arent dumb as you may think, we supplement with vit d and get plenty of sun, but thanx for your concern about our health even though i doubt your concern is genuine.

    Reply
  29. eyeopener says:
    April 23, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    Hi Clapotis.

    Even in Siberia people are better informed than you. You live in the “wanted past”. 2012 AC you know is a different world. Get used to it.

    Whatever you oppose to reality is overtaking you. You may want to object reality is different.
    Acceptance of change is difficult. The past is over!! Doesnot come back but caress the memories.

    You are getting old Papa!!

    Nothing wrong with yellow and slanty eyes. Maybe open-eyed would be better.

    Reply
  30. D4R says:
    April 23, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    Laputis: I see, you want to borrow from other cultures say like food and drinks stuff like that but you don’t want to do anything with the people? typical of Finn of you.”

    I am not Finn. I am yellow-skinned, slanty-eyed Asian.

    Oh right, are you those who comer their face from the sun so they wont get darker?

    Reply
  31. D4R says:
    April 23, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Laputis: I see, you want to borrow from other cultures say like food and drinks stuff like that but you don’t want to do anything with the people? typical of Finn of you.”

    I am not Finn. I am yellow-skinned, slanty-eyed Asian.

    Oh right, are you those who cover their face from the sun so they wont get darker?

    Reply
  32. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Eyeopener, despite fact we live in year 2012, we still are part of nature. Season rythms, sun radiation etc. influence us, whether you want it or not. Have you ever heard about “winter depression” and similar things? I suspect this “winter depression” at least partially comes from wrong diet during winter time.

    Eyeopener, we were, are and will be part of nature. Whatever century or whatever technologies.

    Reply
  33. eyeopener says:
    April 23, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    Hi Clapotis.

    Rythms of nature doesnot mean fooling your heads. If you want to live in the past with your memories I can respect that. However, I think it’s illogical to demand such a behavior from all people.

    I am very well aware of my past, my origins. But I want to live now not in the past. That’s where we differ I guess. My contributions are aimed at the future not strengthening the past.

    Past is gone!! It is not the future.

    Your choice.

    Don’t blame others.

    Reply
  34. Laputis says:
    April 23, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    Eyeopener, what past do you talk about? I don’t get you.

    Reply
  35. eyeopener says:
    April 23, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Open your eyes!!

    Reply
  36. D4R says:
    April 23, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    eyeopener: Open your eyes!!

    L.O.L i think leputis may need to open her eyes 🙂

    Reply
  37. Laputis says:
    April 24, 2012 at 5:51 am

    Eyopener, and D4R, I feel like you talk to me as if I were Finn. But I am not Finn, and maybe that’s why I don’t always get you (like, what kind of past you talk about?)

    Reply
  38. eyeopener says:
    April 24, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    No Clapotis.

    I am not going to walk to you as if you were a Finn. Simply because you are not. Pretending is all you can. Not more!!

    Saami were far more clever than Finns. They used the land for their necesities. Didnot need a country. Sounds familiar to you??

    Clapotis. Countries are a social construct. I wonder if it is to keep people in or people out??. Like all your notions on development etc. Why don’t you live in no-where land, without running water, toilet, electricity and the kind. Nobody is holding you back.

    I think I have read more books on history and finnish history Clapotis. But you seem to be a professor in this science, aren’t you. Finland as Finland was created some 100 years ago. Wasn’t it Clapotis?? This schizophrenia is hurting some people here. Like you who struggles with the past. Schizophrenic.

    Now you found your toy to distract you from your schizo-behavior.

    Happy now??

    Reply
  39. Laputis says:
    April 24, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    What past I struggle with? You don’t cease puzzling me, eyeopener. I asked you as simple question – what did you mean with “past”. And you couldn’t answer to it. You failed. Chiao.

    Reply
  40. eyeopener says:
    April 24, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Your past Clapotis. H….I….S….T….O….R….Y….

    Difficult word for you.

    No failure Clapotis too intelligent for you.

    Ciao (that the right word)

    Reply
  41. D4R says:
    April 25, 2012 at 3:58 am

    eyeopener: Your past Clapotis. H….I….S….T….O….R….Y….

    Difficult word for you.

    No failure Clapotis too intelligent for you.

    Ciao (that the right word)

    LoL

    Reply
  42. Laputis says:
    April 25, 2012 at 5:24 am

    Hisotry and past involve so many different things. You, eyeopener, was saying that I don’t cope with changes. What changes you talk about?

    BTW your short temper makes me to smile.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Movies like Agnieszka Holland’s “Green Border” are needed more than ever today
  • “Mosque” scoop by a tabloid reveals the hostile face of Islamophobia in Finland
  • Reija Härkönen (24.9.2017): Hallittua pelottelua hallitsemattomalla maahanmuutolla
  • Liikkukaa – Sports for All blog: Racism At Finnish Swimming Halls Endangers Lives And Society
  • Finland is backpedaling to the dark corners of nationalism and xenophobia

Recent Comments

  1. Angel Barrientos on Angel Barrientos is one of the kind beacons of Finland’s Chilean community
  2. Jorge Serendero on Angel Barrientos is one of the kind beacons of Finland’s Chilean community
  3. Ahti Ilmari Tolvanen on Yahya Rouissi: Is the government serious about racism?
  4. Ahti Tolvanen on Migrant Tales attacked
  5. Kauko Reinikainen on Süddeutsche Zeitung’s Alex Rühle: “I was irritated by Wille Rydman’s repeated accusation of frivolous and false reporting”

Archives

  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007

Categories

  • ?? Gia L?c
  • ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ??????
  • ???????
  • @HerraAhmed
  • @mondepasrond
  • @nohatefinland
  • @oula_silver
  • @Varathas
  • A Pakistani family
  • äärioikeisto
  • Abbas Bahmanpour
  • Abdi Muhis
  • Abdirahim Hussein Mohamed
  • Abdirahim Husu Hussein
  • Abdirisak Mahamed
  • About Migrant Tales
  • activism
  • Adam Al-Sawad
  • Adel Abidin
  • Afrofinland
  • Ahmed IJ
  • Ahti Tolvanen
  • Aino Pennanen
  • Aisha Maniar
  • Alan Ali
  • Alan Anstead
  • Alejandro Díaz Ortiz
  • Aleksander Hemon
  • Alex Alex
  • Alex Mckie
  • Alexander Nix
  • Alexandra Ayse Albayrak
  • Alexis Neuberg
  • Ali Asaad Hasan Alzuhairi
  • Ali Hossein Mir Ali
  • Ali Rashid
  • Ali Sagal Abdikarim
  • Alina Tsui
  • Aline Müller
  • All categories
  • Aman Heidari
  • Amiirah Salleh-Hoddin & Jana Turk
  • Amin A. Alem
  • Amir Zuhairi
  • Amkelwa Mbekeni
  • Ana María Gutiérrez Sorainen
  • Anders Adlecreutz
  • Angeliina Koskinen
  • Anna De Mutiis
  • Anna María Gutiérrez Sorainen
  • Anna-Kaisa Kuusisto ja Jaakko Tuominen
  • Annastiina Kallius
  • Anneli Juise Friman Lindeman
  • Announcement
  • Anonymous
  • Antero Leitzinger
  • anti-black racism
  • Anti-Hate Crime Organisation Finland
  • Anudari Boldbaatar
  • Aspergers Syndrome
  • Asylum Corner
  • Asylum seeker 406
  • Athena Griffin and Joe Feagin
  • Autism
  • Avaaz.org
  • Awale Olad
  • Ayan Said Mohamed
  • AYY
  • Barachiel
  • Bashy Quraishy
  • Beatrice Kabutakapua
  • Beri Jamal
  • Beri Jamal and Enrique Tessieri
  • Bertolt Brecht
  • Boiata
  • Boodi Kabbani
  • Bruno Gronow
  • Camtu Suhonen
  • Carmen Pekkarinen
  • Çelen Oben and Sheila Riikonen
  • Chiara Costa-Virtanen
  • Chiara Costa-Virtanen
  • Chiara Sorbello
  • Christian Thibault
  • Christopher Wylie
  • Clara Dublanc
  • Dana
  • Daniel Malpica
  • Danilo Canguçu
  • David Papineau
  • David Schneider
  • Dexter He
  • Don Flynn
  • Dr Masoud Kamali
  • Dr. Faith Mkwesha
  • Dr. Theodoros Fouskas
  • Edna Chun
  • Eeva Kilpi
  • Emanuela Susheela
  • En castellano
  • ENAR
  • Enrique
  • Enrique Tessieri
  • Enrique Tessieri & Raghad Mchawh
  • Enrique Tessieri & Yahya Rouissi
  • Enrique Tessieri and Muhammed Shire
  • Enrique Tessieri and Sira Moksi
  • Enrique Tessieri and Tom Vandenbosch
  • Enrique Tessieri and Wael Che
  • Enrique Tessieri and Yahya Rouissi
  • Enrique Tessieri and Zimema Mhone
  • Epäluottamusmies
  • EU
  • Europe
  • European Islamophobia Report
  • European Islamophobia Report 2019,
  • European Union
  • Eve Kyntäjä
  • Facebook
  • Fadumo Dayib
  • Faisa Kahiye
  • Farhad Manjoo
  • Fasismi
  • Finland
  • Fizza Qureshi
  • Flyktingar och asyl
  • Fozia Mir-Ali
  • Frances Webber
  • Frida Selim
  • Gareth Rice
  • Ghyslain Vedeaux
  • Global Art Point
  • Great Replacement
  • Habiba Ali
  • Hami Bahadori
  • Hami Bahdori
  • Hamid
  • Hamid Alsaameere
  • Hamid Bahdori
  • Handshake
  • Harmit Athwal
  • Hassan Abdi Ali
  • Hassan Muhumud
  • Heikki Huttunen
  • Heikki Wilenius
  • Helsingin Sanomat
  • Henning van der Hoeven
  • Henrika Mälmsröm
  • Hser Hser
  • Hser Hser ja Mustafa Isman
  • Husein Muhammed
  • Hussain Kazemian
  • Hussain Kazmenian
  • Ibrahim Khan
  • Ida
  • Ignacio Pérez Pérez
  • Iise Ali Hassan
  • Ilari Kaila & Tuomas Kaila
  • Imam Ka
  • inside-an-airport
  • Institute of Race Relations
  • Iraqi asylum seeker
  • IRR European News Team
  • IRR News Team
  • Islamic Society of Norhern FInland
  • Islamic Society of Northern Finland
  • Islamophobia
  • Jacobinmag.com
  • Jallow Momodou
  • Jan Holmberg
  • Jane Elliott
  • Jani Mäkelä
  • Jari Luoto
  • Jegor Nazarov
  • Jenni Stammeier
  • Jenny Bourne
  • Jessie Daniels
  • Johannes Koski
  • John D. Foster
  • John Grayson
  • John Marriott
  • Jon Burnett
  • Jorma Härkönen
  • Jos Schuurmans
  • José León Toro Mejías
  • Josue Tumayine
  • Jouni Karnasaari
  • Juan Camilo
  • Jukka Eräkare
  • Julian Abagond
  • Julie Pascoet
  • Jussi Halla-aho
  • Jussi Hallla-aho
  • Jussi Jalonen
  • JusticeDemon
  • Kadar Gelle
  • Kaksoiskansalaisuus
  • Kansainvälinen Mikkeli
  • Kansainvälinen Mikkeli ry
  • Katherine Tonkiss
  • Kati Lepistö
  • Kati van der Hoeven-Lepistö
  • Katie Bell
  • Kättely
  • Kerstin Ögård
  • Keshia Fredua-Mensah & Jamie Schearer
  • Khadidiatou Sylla
  • Khadra Abdirazak Sugulle
  • Kiihotus kansanryhmää vastaan
  • Kirsi Crowley
  • Koko Hubara
  • Kristiina Toivikko
  • Kubra Amini
  • KuRI
  • La Colectiva
  • La incitación al odio
  • Laura Huhtasaari
  • Lauri Finér
  • Leif Hagert
  • Léo Custódio
  • Leo Honka
  • Leontios Christodoulou
  • Lessie Branch
  • Lex Gaudius
  • Leyes de Finlandia
  • Liikkukaa!
  • Linda Hyökki
  • Liz Fekete
  • M. Blanc
  • Maarit Snellman
  • Mahad Sheikh Musse
  • Maija Vilkkumaa
  • Malmin Kebab Pizzeria Port Arthur
  • Marcell Lorincz
  • Mari Aaltola
  • María Paz López
  • Maria Rittis Ikola
  • Maria Tjader
  • Mark
  • Markku Heikkinen
  • Marshall Niles
  • Martin Al-Laji
  • Maryan Siyad
  • Matt Carr
  • Mauricio Farah Gebara
  • Media Monitoring Group of Finland
  • Micah J. Christian
  • Michael McEachrane
  • Michele Levoy
  • Michelle Kaila
  • Migrant Tales
  • Migrant Tales Literary
  • Migrantes News
  • Migrants' Rights Network
  • MigriLeaks
  • Mikko Kapanen
  • Miriam Attias and Camila Haavisto
  • Mohamed Adan
  • Mohammad Javid
  • Mohammad M.
  • Monikulttuurisuus
  • Monisha Bhatia and Victoria Canning
  • Mor Ndiaye
  • Muh'ed
  • Muhamed Abdimajed Murshid
  • Muhammed Shire
  • Muhammed Shire and Enrique Tessieri
  • Muhis Azizi
  • Musimenta Dansila
  • Muslimiviha
  • Musulmanes
  • Namir al-Azzawi
  • Natsismi
  • Neurodiversity
  • New Women Connectors
  • Nils Muižnieks
  • No Labels No Walls
  • Noel Dandes
  • Nuor Dawood
  • Omar Khan
  • Otavanmedia
  • Oula Silvennoinen
  • Pakistani family
  • Pentti Stranius
  • Perussuomalaiset
  • perustuslaki
  • Petra Laiti
  • Petri Cederlöf
  • Pia Grochowski
  • Podcast-lukija Bea Bergholm
  • Pohjois – Suomen Islamilainen Yhdyskunta
  • Pohjois Suomen Islamilainen Yhyskunta
  • Polina Kopylova
  • Race Files
  • racism
  • Racism Review
  • Raghad Mchawh
  • Ranska
  • Rashid H. and Migrant Tales
  • Rasismi
  • Raul Perez
  • Rebecka Holm
  • Reem Abu-Hayyeh
  • Refugees
  • Reija Härkönen
  • Remiel
  • Reza Nasri
  • Richard Gresswell
  • Riikka Purra
  • Risto Laakkonen
  • Rita Chahda
  • Ritva Kondi
  • Robito Ibrahim
  • Roble Bashir
  • Rockhaya Sylla
  • Rodolfo Walsh
  • Roger Casale
  • Rostam Atai
  • Roxana Crisólogo Correa
  • Ruth Grove-White
  • Ruth Waweru-Folabit
  • S-worldview
  • Sadio Ali Nuur
  • Sandhu Bhamra
  • Sara de Jong
  • Sarah Crowther
  • Sari Alhariri
  • Sarkawt Khalil
  • Sasu
  • Scot Nakagawa
  • Shabana Ahmadzai
  • Sharon Chang blogs
  • Shenita Ann McLean
  • Shirlene Green Newball
  • Sini Savolainen
  • Sira Moksi
  • Sonia K.
  • Sonia Maria Koo
  • Steverp
  • Stop Deportations
  • Suldaan Said Ahmed
  • Suomen mediaseurantakollektiivi
  • Suomen viharikosvastainen yhdistys
  • Suomen viharikosvastainen yhdistys ry
  • Suomi
  • Supermen
  • Susannah
  • Suva
  • Syrjintä
  • Talous
  • Tapio Tuomala
  • Taw Reh
  • Teivo Teivainen
  • The Daily Show
  • The Heino
  • The Supermen
  • Thomas Elfgren
  • Thulfiqar Abdulkarim
  • Tim McGettigan
  • Tino Singh
  • Tito Moustafa Sliem
  • Tobias Hübinette and L. Janelle Dance
  • Transport
  • Trica Danielle Keaton
  • Trilce Garcia
  • Trish Pääkkönen
  • Trish Pääkkönen and Enrique Tessieri
  • Tuulia Reponen
  • Uncategorized
  • UNITED
  • University of Eastern Finland
  • Uyi Osazee
  • Väkivalta
  • Venla-Sofia Saariaho
  • Vieraskynä
  • W. Che
  • W. Che an Enrique Tessieri
  • Wael Ch.
  • Wan Wei
  • Women for Refugee Women
  • Xaan Kaafi Maxamed Xalane
  • Xassan Kaafi Maxamed Xalane
  • Xassan-Kaafi Mohamed Halane & Enrique Tessieri
  • Yahya Rouissi
  • Yasmin Yusuf
  • Yassen Ghaleb
  • Yle Puhe
  • Yve Shepherd
  • Zahra Khavari
  • Zaker
  • Zamzam Ahmed Ali
  • Zeinab Amini ja Soheila Khavari
  • Zimema Mahone and Enrique Tessieri
  • Zimema Mhone
  • Zoila Forss Crespo Moreyra
  • ZT
  • Zulma Sierra
  • Zuzeeko Tegha Abeng
© 2023 Migrant tales | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme