TYY is participating in the Week Against Racism, held March 16–22. According to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, Finland is one of the most racist countries in Europe. It would therefore be naive to think that racism does not also manifest itself in our community. TYY actively strives to make its own operations as anti-racist as possible, while also guiding other organizations in the same direction through initiatives such as its equality guide. Racism is an equality issue, and it must always be addressed and prevented.
Racism is more than just hostile rhetorics on social media or offensive heckling directed at strangers. Prejudiced attitudes towards people, excluding individuals from a group based on their background, or linguistic barriers all contribute in their own way to racist structures in our community. That is why it is important to examine our own attitudes towards other people. Many people likely feel that their own actions are never racist. Microaggressions, in particular, are the kind of behavior that can manifest in everyday life even unintentionally. TYY’s equality guide aims to provide organizations with tools to identify and prevent discrimination. At the same time we must emphasize the individual’s responsibility in the fight against racism. We must be able to examine our personal thought patterns and behaviors and, if necessary, change them if racist traits emerge in our own conduct.
It goes without saying that racism is rampant throughout Finnish society. This is wrong; no one should have to live in fear because of their background. At the same time, racism has become part of Finland’s national image, which is shameful and infuriating. Future generations must do better, because Finland should be tolerant towards everyone, regardless of their background.
Every act against racism matters. From speaking up against inappropriate behavior to breaking down language barriers. It is important that everyone challenges both themselves and their community to create a more open-minded worldview. Hostility must be transformed into empathy and acceptance of others.
Lauri Pesonen
Municipal Affairs, Social Affairs, Tutoring and Equality