With words we shape reality

Racism cannot be tackled by banning its consequences alone — addressing root causes is essential, and that starts with language. The Government’s communication on promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society — more colloquially known as the anti-racism communication — is an important step in how our society addresses racism. As the communication states, we have problems with structural racism and discrimination, and denying them does nothing to help fix them.

Why do we need to address the root causes?

As we now move to combat racism and implement measures against it, it is important to remember to address the root causes of racism rather than just its symptoms. If we focus only on updating criminal law and banning things, racism will not diminish significantly. Racism is probably not a problem that can be entirely eliminated, but we can improve matters a great deal.

And as economists can tell us, we need significantly more labour-based immigration.

What does anti-racism mean in practice?

Combating racism — that is, anti-racism — is beneficial in that it helps both Finnish people and those with foreign backgrounds, whether they are asylum seekers or people who have moved here for work. As racism decreases, so does the sense of otherness and marginalisation they experience, and it becomes easier for all of us to discuss the challenges related to integration. It is therefore wonderful that the new Government is taking up this work that was already begun in the previous term! Even if it took significant public pressure to get there. And as economists can tell us, we need significantly more labour-based immigration.

Racism and the discourse associated with it can also concretely endanger our safety. An example of this is the population replacement theory, which the National Bureau of Investigation has classified as far-right, and which has now led to a terrorism investigation in Lahti, where suspects had armed themselves in preparation for resisting population replacement.

Let us follow the Government’s example towards a Kirkkonummi free from racism.

I have written more about the immigration debate: on the immigration debate in general and on the four most persistent myths about immigration. Words also matter in how Kirkkonummi signals its values: see how the council’s rainbow flag decision put words into action.

Also published in: Kirkkonummen Sanomat, 7 September 2023.