Ever since Finnish President Sauli Niinistö characterized the ongoing debate on migrants, migration, asylum seekers and minorities as a debate between two extremes, the big question is who is the other extreme?
This “two-extreme” characterization of the debate by Niinistö and government ministers like Paula Risikko reveals their ignorance and objection to the debate. It shows as well their hope that the debate will be between white people in this country.
As everyone knows, Migrant Tales together with many anti-racism activists do not consider ourselves as “extremists” but normal folk that support human rights, Nordic values and cultural diversity.
It’s clear that politicians like Niinistö, the government and many others see these types of values with suspicion and contempt. That is one reason why they dub the debate as “two extremes.”
US President Richard Nixon, facing impeachment and a challenge from liberal and progressive sectors, used the same tactic by stating that it was a minority that opposed him and that law-abiding USAmericans, the silent majority, like the Okie from Muskogee, who was behind him.
This is exactly what is happening in Finland when some politicians claim incorrectly that the debate on migration, asylum seekers and cultural diversity is between “two extremes.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
Niinistö and the government have yet to tell us who the Other extreme is? Migrant Tales? Human rights groups? Finnish Refugee Council? Amnesty International? Human Rights Watch? European Network Against Racism? People who speak out against racism?
The other extreme is simple to identify: Suomen Sisu, Suomi ensin, Hommaforum, Soldiers of Odin, Jussi Halla-aho, Olli Immonen and many, many others.
The question remains: Who is the other extreme? Can President Niinistö and the government shed light on this?
If they can’t they should retract what they falsely claim.