By Osita Ifezue
YLE report on the 18th of March 2024 started the International Anti-Racism Week in Finland. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo gathered some stakeholders to discuss ways the government would address the nagging problem of racism and integration. In 2023, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights published a report that showed the levels of racism in Finland in 12 months was 54% and 63% in 5 years. The report was a kind of slap on the wrist for failure to address racism. Pressure is growing for Finland to honor treaties signed to uphold universal human rights, yet the problem is not simply to comply with international laws but for sustainable solutions. Finland needs to start breaking down the structure of racism.
Racism is an uncomfortable problem to discuss, and the elephant in the room is not to be ignored. Yhdenvertaisuusvaltuutettu, the Finnish non-discrimination Ombudsman reported discrimination against the Roma people, insults, harassment, or the refusal of service is still visible in Finnish society. Other reports mention the lack of access to care in the Sámi language, an indigenous people in Finland. As a signatory of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and its Optional Protocol; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Finland needs to fight racism, yet why has it flourished?
The prime minister listed some strategies for harnessing the potential of all individuals in Finland to ensure equality in employment, incentives for diverse recruitment, retention strategy for local experts, and addressing racism. Introduction of language skills proficiency as a requirement for permanent residence might further deepen discrimination, make racism worse, and incentivize skilled immigrants to explore options globally. The international labor market is highly competitive at the moment with many countries projected to experience a shortage of workforce in coming years. Finland is confronting the fact that racism must be addressed. Discrimination prevents organizations in the public and private sectors from harnessing the potential of the talents in the country. For example, Finland’s yearly tuition fees are at par with countries like Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. These countries are attractive to international students because of the established system of integration into the labor market. The right approach to solving the problem determines the right solution. Why has racism flourished in Finland despite the many reports and research that are available on the crisis?
Jefferson Robinson, a civil rights lawyer, explained that racism thrives when the legal and social structures support it: Racism Prejudice+Social+Legal authority. We might not have a direct responsibility to but shared responsibilities to fight racism. In societies where there is serious enforcement of anti-racist laws, there is no ambiguity of what constitutes racism. For example, the use of the N-word in a certain way is considered okay based on an old Finnish vocabulary. Some still use the N-word in that context and do not see it as a crime. To buttress this, let me share an incident that highlights this mindset. Two men sat across from me on the bus in Helsinki having a friendly chat, but my attention was drawn to the details of their conversations when the N-word dropped. What would make someone comfortable with using a racial slur in a public space? I interjected asking if they understood the use of a racial slur could constitute a crime. They both emphatically tried to explain away Most would self-absolve themselves of being racist. Finland needs to get on the path of racial and social justice that will benefit the country. Why has this problem gone so long without fixing?
Tackling racism as a sustainable development goal
Finnish society has typically discussed racism in the context of immigration.The media seem to propel the discussion in this context. The communication pattern of the discussion should change to reflect the shift in attitudes toward racism.
Often data is presented about progress in integration agenda and investment in diversity and initiatives aimed at improving the overall social impact of racism, yet there remains a huge disconnect by the majority.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion have become a brand tool for many people and organizations.
Hence the disconnect between grassroots groups and some organizations.
There’s Finland that works for people who have aligned themselves with these organizations and there is a Finland where many find themselves out of place, not trusting the system and solutions offered. When those who have not experienced any kind of racism are charged with diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives in the public and private sectors, the solution will not be far-reaching.
As the economic crisis deepens, fewer people will be interested in initiatives that fail to address their core needs of belonging. The initiatives to integrate an immigrant do not work because they are often designed not to address perceived problems rather than actual problems.
We have not been able to face the pain needed to build a fair and equitable society where people will offer meaningful contributions to society.– Osita Ifezue, Founder Entergrate
When starting a grassroots movement in Finland that turned into Entergrate.I spoke to many immigrants who decided already to remain in the bubble because they don’t believe they have a voice or will be given one, hence the disconnect. Some diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives and organizations focus more attention on window-dressing the problem with a lot of experts in the field not understanding the problem (racism, discrimination, belonging), being solved. It is a business whereas it should be a tool for social justice. Real change is scary but the anchor for any progressive society.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives should be more than “looking cool“.
It should be about making real changes unless a different approach is implemented other than the existing one. The same cosmetic solutions will continue leading to further disconnect. The current Finnish integration law which approaches integration from a problem-based approach rather than skill has so far worked for the majority of locals who have built successful businesses and careers from selling diversity initiatives to getting funding. Hence the disconnect between the actual problem and perceived problems. If the problem is to be solved the current dynamics need to change. Focus on funding initiatives rather than achieving real change. Vantaa is a city in Finland that has been innovative in its approach to integrating immigrants in Finland with many grassroots programs targeted to help locals and immigrants start becoming entrepreneurs. Immigration has played a role in the development of business in Finland. So many initiatives and businesses are championed by immigrants who embraced Finland as home.
Anti-racism is effective at the grassroots
What have I done to intervene when I see discrimination? Communication patterns to discuss matters of discrimination should be firm even as bitter a pill it is to swallow. Limiting the rights of new and old immigrants is counterproductive to building a society that promotes belonging. The proposed policy to introduce language skills requirements for permanent resident applications will further deepen discrimination and racism. A comprehensive understanding of the impact of racism at the grassroots level will enable the right solutions.
Discriminating against the individual you have trained through the education system in Finland is like a businessman who developed a product without using or selling writing off the product.
Finland has done a brilliant job in the research of racism as a lot of projects are funded by private and public sector organizations. The deficiency is in the implementation and the incorporation of the core experience. Solutions cannot be implemented without incorporating the impact of those who are dealing with the problem. The narrative is that many don’t understand what racism is, which is not surprising because going through the experience you can not offer lasting solutions to racism. Bottom to top approach is the way to start building an equitable society. The preventative approach has not worked. It’s time to use the exploration method. If you’re willing to hire someone different, it is a start!
