Peer Supporter’s Blog Post: Just Another Day Being Black in Finland

In one of her many speeches, She asked people in her audience to stand up if they would like to receive the same treatment as a black person. Nobody in the audience stood up. She continued, ‘If you know you do not want that treatment, why allow it to happen to others? That speaks volumes because a lot of people understand this problem is endemic! A report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Human Rights on Being Black in the EU highlights the following challenges about the experiences of people of African descent in Europe:

Almost half of people of African descent surveyed experience racial discrimination, an increase from 39 % in 2016 to 45 % in 2022.

A lack of national data makes it difficult for Member States to track progress on tackling racial discrimination.

Discrimination remains invisible: only 9 % of victims report incidents, and very few report incidents to an equality body.

Over half of people of African descent feel that their most recent police stop was a result of racial profiling.

Many people of African descent work in elementary occupations and are overqualified for their jobs. Every third has a temporary contract and lacks job security.

Rising inflation and cost of living have put people of African descent at higher risk of poverty than the general population. A third face difficulties in making ends meet.

Most people of African descent perceive their health as good. But almost 1 in 10 feel racially discriminated against when using healthcare services.

Why is racism increasing even when member countries have laws against racial crimes and the multiplicity of DEI initiatives by both private and public organizations? Most of the racial abuse is invisible because a lot of them go unreported. Even though there are laws against racial crimes, they are hardly reported or enforced. Even when racial crime is reported, some perpetrators get away with only a slap on the wrist. To illustrate, think about the case of Paul, a resident of Turku, a city southwest of Finland. He suffered a physical racial attack at his place of work. He reported the case, which went to court to seek redress. Even when he won the case, The perpetrator received a fine, but because he was unemployed, he did not pay the fine. Consider another example: In 2007, while waiting for the train at Pasila station, Helsinki, I got attacked by a man. I pursued the matter in court and won. Similarly, the perpetrator claimed to be mentally unstable at the time of the incident.

Unfortunately, these are a part of daily life for some colored immigrants in Finland. It highlights a systematic pattern. Racism cuts deep. It is no secret some immigrants of African descent find themselves hanging at the bottom of the societal ladder, often neglected, overworked, and often in jobs they are overqualified for. The struggles mostly go unnoticed, casting a shadow over them. It impacts not only them but their families and society. Individuals who face difficulties as immigrants often find themselves wrapped in a bubble as a way to insulate themselves. The report mentioned earlier suggests a third of people of African descent experience it. Not all immigrants have experienced this, but the consensus is that racial discrimination is deeply embedded in Finnish society.

To address this insidious issue requires a collaborative effort. The institutions, locals, and immigrant communities need to focus on identifying the root causes of the problem. Like a plant with dying leaves that needs to be treated, institutional and social racism needs such treatment. When an immigrant knows that the chances of acceptance are low, they might create a wall as survival tactics, almost always cautious about the surroundings and people. The subconscious mind always sends little reminders to remember where you are. For example, when some coloured immigrant walks into a space, the first thing they usually do is scan the room to see if there is anyone that looks like them. That feeling of I am not alone can be comforting and helpful in lowering the guard. Cultural sensitivity training for those in positions of influence can pave the way for a more inclusive and understanding, especially for those that work with immigrants. DEI intitivates will not work if those who should know, do not understand what the experiences of these immigrants are. Some immigrants do not trust the system. They do not believe some services are designed for them or will help them, so they often approach with cynicism. Building trust is necessary to understand the individuals. Ask the right questions to understand their struggles and tailor the solutions accordingly.

In June 2019, Entergrate, a civic and social organization in Finland, held a quarterly In the Spotlight series on work discrimination. The panelist highlighted the importance of challenging any kind discrimination once it occurs. For example, if you have applied for a job and feel overlooked, you can file a report to the relevant Ombudsman. (Links to report and website below) Reporting to the authorities will help the fight against racism. Moreover, it can give a feel-good effect to know you challenged racism. As the number of low-income households increases in Finland, the incidence of racial discrimination will likely increase. It is imperative to act when confronted with racism in any form. As much as you strive to integrate into a new country, it is maintaining a strong sense of identity while adopting elements of your culture.

Some of an immigrant’s challenges might include difficulty learning a language, finding a job, access to healthcare, cultural differences, etc.