A few clarifications about multiculturalism in Finland

I think it is important to clarify some things about multicutluralism in Finland. One of these is that we are legally such a society. This is upheld in the Constitution and Non-Discrimination Act, which is also known officially as the Equality Act.

This is what our Constitution says about equality in Section 6:

Everyone is equal before the law.
No one shall, without an acceptable reason, be treated differently from other persons on the ground of sex, age, origin, language, religion, conviction, opinion, health, disability or other reason that concerns his or her person. Children shall be treated equally and as individuals and they shall be allowed to influence matters pertaining to themselves to a degree corresponding to their level of development. Equality of the sexes is promoted in societal activity and working life, especially in the determination of pay and the other terms of employment, as provided in more detail by an Act.

If someone believes it’s unbearable to treat immigrants in the same way the majority culture is treated before the law and society, that person should lobby through our democratic institutions for an about-turn in the legislation. If he/she did, and miraculously succeeded, the changes would end up destroying an important part of the values and morals we cherish in our society.

What would be put in its place of Section 6 and the Non-Discrimination Act?

This, I believe, is the question that those who oppose equality for all in society are incapable or would dare to answer publicly. There is, however, a long sad list of countries in the world where they could find examples of where human rights violations are encouraged and where the word democracy can buy you one-way ticket to prison.

Certainly we do not want that to happen in Finland.

Finnish society should resemble a football team

If one wants an example of how people from different backgrounds can benefit from each other, we should look at successful football teams. What are the qualities for a team to function effectively?

1. It has to play as a team.

2. There must be a sense of camaraderie, clear rules and an aim.

3. Each of the players, depending on their function, compliment each other on the field.  

4. Complementing each other means understanding and respecting the weakness and strengths of the different players. When the teammates know this, their strenghts bolster the team’s effectiveness.

5. They all wear the same uniform but come from diverse backgrounds. 

Here is an example of a failed team.

1. It has weak team spirit.

2. While the aim is clear (to win the game), it is done without the help of a few self-proclalimed “stars.” 

3. Weaknesses are ridiculed at the cost of strenghtening the ego of a player(s).

4. They wear the same uniform but are stratified as “good” and “bad” players.

The example is a simple model of a society comprising of people from different backgrounds. 

If society plays like a failed team, it will never be victorious in building a strong team.