It’s clear that racism derives also from low self-esteem apart from being a sinister tool to exclude other groups from gaining access to political, social and economic capital. Ever thought why those who are vocal about their racist views are such an active group?
The answer is simple:
In order to climb up a few miserable notches up the ladder of acceptance, racism is a way of showing your distorted allegiance and a way to get (re)accepted as a member of society. Society is racist to begin with so some of your racist views will connect with society’s.
Being accepted and finding a way out of your social exclusion is one matter you strive for as a racist. The other could be a lucrative political career with power and media attention.
All of these matters were impossible to attain as an outsider, a recluse.
Politicians that come to mind are mostly from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. They are former MPs like James Hirvisaari and present ones like Juho Eerola, Olli Immonen, MEP Jussi Halla-aho and a long list of others.
Racism gives them attention, meaning and importantly a career. They would never renounce their racism because that would mean killing your career.
What is sad is that our society offers racists such opportunities instead of naming and shaming them.
*The Finnish name for the Finns Party is the Perussuomalaiset (PS). The English names of the party adopted by the PS, like True Finns or Finns Party, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and xenophobia. We therefore prefer to use the Finnish name of the party on our postings.