Finland's progressive image is cracking, revealing a disturbing reality. The country, often celebrated for its happiness and progressiveness, is now grappling with a surge in racism and cultural insularity. But here's the twist: this darker side has always been there, lurking beneath the surface.
In June 2024, a shocking incident occurred in Oulu, Finland, where a Bangladeshi restaurant worker, Rakibul Hasan Ridoy, was brutally stabbed. The attacker's motive? A desire to kill a dark-skinned person. This heinous act is just one of many recent racism scandals that have rocked the nation.
Finnish politicians have openly expressed bigoted views. A minister, live on TV, described immigrants as turning Finland into a 'developing country, a pigsty, and a massacre,' and endorsed the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Riikka Purra, a member of the nationalist Finns Party, has a history of violent, racist, and anti-immigrant posts. Despite this, she remains in her position, showcasing the government's normalization of hate and exclusion.
The country's progressive media analysts seem to turn a blind eye to the deep-rooted racism within Finnish society. Finland's history of whiteness predates the current administration and its previous women-led progressive government. A 2023 European Union report ranks Finland among the top EU countries for anti-Black racial discrimination, only behind Germany and Austria. This is the paradox of Nordic equality: it's based on sameness, not a genuine appreciation of diversity and dissent.
Whiteness, a colonial legacy, is pervasive in Finland. It influences the country's passive stance on Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Finland, along with its Baltic neighbors, remains one of the few countries yet to recognize Palestine, while actively advocating for Ukraine against Russia. This 'political practicality' is a facade, as Finland has facilitated Israel's genocide by providing key arms components, as revealed in a U.N. report.
Finland's inaction on Palestine is exemplified by former Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who has remained silent on the genocide in Gaza. Her lack of public statements and minimal social media gestures stand in stark contrast to her routine visits to occupied Ukraine. This double standard is a stark reminder of the power of whiteness.
Marin's association with the Tony Blair Institute, which has plans to develop postwar Gaza into a 'Trump Riviera,' further exposes Finland's colonial mindset. The country's silence on Palestine, influenced by its relationship with the U.S., is a shameful pragmatism. Meanwhile, Finland's Social Democrats have failed to explain their past inaction on recognizing Palestine.
Coloniality and whiteness are deeply ingrained in Finnish culture, even in its media. Discussions about what Muslim women wear are common, despite the country's own tradition of covering up during winter. The media's 'neutrality' often serves to maintain the status quo, positioning Muslim women as the 'other' in feel-good stories.
However, there is hope for change. Political figures like Li Andersson, a former member of Marin's coalition government, have shown determination in addressing Finland's passivity over Palestine. Andersson's victory in the European Parliament elections goes against the rightward trend and highlights the potential for bipartisan coalitions.
Finland's progressives have lessons to learn from Zohran Mamdani's mayoral victory in New York City, which emphasized community engagement. Finland's strong trade union membership and historically socialist state policies provide a foundation for change. The country's youth are also driving a cultural shift, with student activism and demonstrations demanding justice for Palestinians and an end to foreign policy double standards.
This emerging multiculturalism faces challenges, but it's a sign of a new Finnish identity that embraces diversity. The country's younger generation is challenging the status quo, envisioning a Finland where someone like Ridoy can proudly identify as Finnish-Bangladeshi. The question remains: will Finland's leaders and society embrace this evolving identity, or will they cling to the outdated notions of sameness and whiteness?
