STATEMENTS OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RACISM WITHOUT ACTION, IS TOLERANCE FOR RACISM
Written by Roseanna Avento via LinkedIn. She is currently doing a PhD in the Environmental Policy Research Group of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics of the University of Eastern Finland.
Racist and Nazist views in the Finnish government and particularly by individuals, Ministers and the Speaker of Parliament, have come under hard scrutiny in the past few weeks.
An uproar so to speak. Many of us that have experienced racism are not surprised one little bit. What did the rest of the Finnish community, who are now surprised, think was the situation, before these people were lifted to the high ladders of politics?
We have had to live with racial slurs thrown at our faces, being disbelieved when we ‘dare’ to bring the subject up. All of sudden, people are shocked about the violent nature of the Finns Party’s politicians. Well, better late than never! Thank you for taking notice.
But then, I have to question the National Coalition Party and our new Prime Minister, the Swedish Party and the Christian Democrats, who say there is ‘zero tolerance for racism’ in our government. What exactly do you mean?
How can one say that with a straight face, yet you sit comfortably in a coalition with a racist party and racist politicians. Actions speak louder than words. So no matter how hard you scream ‘zero tolerance for racism’, yet you sit with a bunch of racists and tolerate their politics, you are but, a feather of the flock. Racist!
Then comes our Finance Minister, who first said she would never apologise for things she wrote. A day later, after our President hollered, she gave a half-wit apology, and today says the statements she wrote were ‘inner-circle humour’.
Wow! Enlightening to know that some people have a their fun slurring insults and hate against people who just don’t happen to look like them. And all the while, everyone in Finland seems worried about: ‘What will the world think of us? This is so embarrassing?’
-Yes, the world will see that the Finnish government condones and tolerates racism. -Yes, we should be embarrassed (and ashamed!). -More than that, we should be very concerned… and even more than that WE SHOULD TAKE ACTION!! The Prime Minister doesn’t seem to have the courage to do so.
I dare say, if an employee in any organisation had done and written the things these far-right politicians have, they’d never be hired (or would be fired). Why are we not holding politicians in charge of public policy to the same standard?
So, people, academics, companies, public organisations…. where is your voice demanding and DEMONSTRATING ACTION that:
NO, THIS IS NOT OKAY!! Statements of zero-tolerance mean nothing without any ACTION.
(P.S. To the Centre Party who said that all the political parties should sign a declaration for equality and no to racism. Don’t! It doesn’t mean anything. Only actions matter!).
