Timo Soini, the chairman of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party, was quoted as saying on YLE in English that PS MP Olli Immonen’s written question to parliament, that Finland should start classifying people according to ethnic background, doesn’t concern him.
What do you think such a statement by the head of an an anti-immigration party reveals? What does it say say about the present state of this country about promoting mutual acceptance?
It shows all along that Soini is not only an opportunist who would sell out Finland to amass more political clout and power, but the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Jussi Halla-aho, James Hirvisaari, Olli Immonen and others of the PS aren’t the so-called bad guys, Soini is by a mile.
Read full story (in Finnish) here.
While such an admission by Soini shouldn’t surprise us, it shows that Finland is still in deep denial and ignorance about racism. It shows that too many politicians in Finland would care less about immigrants and minorities.
Why are we still in the present stage where we deny racism as opposed to challenge it as we should? The answer is clear: We deny racism as a real problem in our society because intolerance gives some status and power over other groups.
We also deny it because the behavior of some shames us.
Immonen’s proposal is racist, but Soini’s silence sends a dangerous message to the wrong people.