Racism study: bad grades for Europe
Almost half of Black people living in Europe experience racism in their daily lives, according to a new study by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Voices in Finland's press are concerned to see that Finland showed the highest levels of discrimination and harassment after Germany and Austria.
A deep-rooted phenomenon
Eradicating racism is a slow process, Lapin Kansa observes:
“In the EU the results have been described as shocking - for Europe as a whole. The Finnish result is even more shocking and should prompt nationwide self-reflection. This hope is probably in vain because racism is so deeply rooted here. ... Many deny the phenomenon or at least play it down. ... Racism is a serious social problem that is unacceptable in any form. The goal must be zero tolerance. At the same time, we must realise that this is a long process in which the hope for improvement lies with more tolerant generations far into the future.”
Damaging for Finland's economy too
Diversity boosts productivity in businesses, Kauppalehti stresses:
“It has long been known that discrimination incurs high costs for the economy as a whole and reduces the prosperity and income of millions of people. ... Many studies published by companies and universities show that groups of people of different gender and skin colour are more inventive and productive than groups of people with the same background. ... The potential damage to the country's image is also significant. Finland is currently trying to attract workers. But if at the same time it is branded as racist this won't exactly encourage foreigners to move to an unknown country on the outskirts of Europe.”