Vesa Puuronen: Rasistinen Suomi [Racist Finland]
6 July 2011 | Mini reviews, Reviews
Rasistinen Suomi
[Racist Finland]
Helsinki: Gaudeamus, 2011. 286 p., ill.
ISBN 978-952-495-196-8
€ 36, paperback
Multiculturalism, immigration and racism have become more frequent subjects of discussion in Finland, particularly as a result of the 2008 local elections and the subsequent speeches and writings by people critical of immigration. This book aims to move the discussion forward by describing and defining racism, presenting developments in research into racism, racism perpetrated by Finns against Sámi and Russians, and the history of Finnish enmity towards Russians from the early 20th century to the present day. The author considers the use of shaming and subjugation as tools of exterminating Sámi culture, as well as linguistic discrimination and denial of land ownership rights against the Sámi. The book also examines the development of hate crimes since the 1990s, racism in Finnish politics and the politics of multiculturalism as practised in Finland, which studies have shown treat different minority groups in different ways. Vesa Puuronen is a sociologist and a researcher into racism who works at the University of Eastern Finland.
Translated by Ruth Urbom
Tags: Finnish society
1 comment:
26 July 2011 on 9:25 am
Sadly, this happens all over the world. In Norway against the Sami, as late as the 1970s to my knowledge, probably in Sweden too, in Britain, my own country against the Welsh and the Scots Highlanders, in Morocco against the Berbers…I could go on. Why does somebody being different to you threaten you? Or is it simply that advantage can be taken if you are in a stronger position? I went to a pub with my wider family, and it’s a big one, and I was shocked to find myself thinking that we could push others around! It’s in us all.