Breaking Silence: Integration of Africans Into Finnish System

 On the fourth day of the ongoing African week program organized by the Africans and African European Association (AFAES), the speakers specifically spoke about the misrepresentation and under representation of Africans in Finland, further, they addressed the various types of racism and shared ideas on how Africans and other immigrants can integrate into the country’s system without much hassle.

The session was spearheaded by Ethiopian journalist Seblewongel Tariku, and it involved various practitioners from across Africa. The names of the panelists are as follows: visual artist and community expert Abolore Sobayo, social psychologist Eva Udeh, lecturer and researcher Dr. Christal Oghogho Spel, Diversity Expert Dora Puhakka, Doctoral researcher and foremost storyteller Osita Ifezue, multicultural expert Refka Elech, health practitioner Josefine Atanga, and social worker Innocent Kazembe.


 Integration of Africans Into the Finnish System

The speakers at the event were able to share insightful perspectives on how they have experienced several nefarious incidents from their day-to-day activities in Finland. Amid the turmoil and underrepresentation of an African community in Finland, they highlighted how immigrants can be better integrated into the nation’s system.

Here is a summary of the discussion from the panelists.

The Perception of Racism

Africans and African European Association (AFAES)


What is racism, and what are the different types?

Describing racism, the host, Tariku, mentioned that Racism is the belief that one’s race is superior to the other. It can be expressed openly or subtly.

Amid the conversation, health practitioner Josefine Atanga spoke about the various types of racism. She had this to say, “There are various types of racism, namely- structural racism, institutional racism, individual racism, and intra-racism (when people treat people differently based on tribe, skin color, despite being of the same race).”

What Are The Effects of Racism?

The panelists


Racism can lead to stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. Racism often causes unemployment or underemployment due to language barriers and discrimination.

How Should Immigrants Address Racism or Racial Attacks?

The panelists explained various ways that the issue of racism can be curbed, controlled, and managed within society. The following are ways that have been shared:

 

Members of the AFAES

1.      Immigrants are advised to assess the situation before taking action.

2. Religious leaders were called upon to enlighten and educate their audience. Also, various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been called to handle racism, not in a negative manner, but professionally.  

3. The Integration Culture: The Finnish should be called upon to educate people about immigrants. Also, the social worker, Innocent Kazembe, stated that immigrants should recognize the difference between racism and social problems.

4. Intragroup discrimination: This point was raised by Josefine Atanga. She stated that intragroup discrimination is simply how we treat one another as Africans. According to her, it is the worst kind of racism is the one that happens within the tribal group and race in the migrant society.

In the latter part of the program, the speakers spoke about how African immigrants can collaborate with each other and also become integral members in the development and furtherance of Finnish society.

 

Major Points On Collaborations:

Speakers during at the second session


1. We deal with our community. There is a divide within the African community; Africans are at the bottom of the food chain. Africans need to develop strong cohesion from the grassroots, until we get it together, then change can happen. Further, it was stated that it is the responsibility of immigrants to be trustworthy. Africans need to trust each other and hold each other accountable.

2. Education and continuous enlightenment.

3. Reach out to lawmakers, learning institutions

4. Parents have an integral role to play in helping to understand the issues of racism.

5. The use of drama, film to fight racism. It helps to empower marginalized voices

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