A young Black woman who was subjected to racist abuse after being selected to lead celebrations of a Swedish festival of light in Helsinki has received an apology from the Finnish prime minister.
According to the Swedish tradition, each year a young woman or girl is chosen to represent Saint Lucia by dressing in a costume of a white gown, red waistband and crown of candles as part of the official annual festivities in Finland at the Lutheran Cathedral on 13 December to mark the shortest day according to the Julian calendar.
About 5% of people in Finland, which until 1809 was part of Sweden, speak Swedish as their native language, which is one of two national languages in the Nordic country.
Daniela Owusu, 20, who is Finnish Ghanaian, received thousands of hate messages after on Friday becoming Finland’s first Black Lucia. The organisers have reported the abuse to police and the discrimination ombudsman and are considering taking legal action.
That poor kid.
Dafuq is wrong with people?
I have seen that in our society it’s acceptable to treat people as if their race is inferior. Threaten them. Scare them.
Because… No one says anything to these people. No one holds them accountable, and there’s no consequences for their actions.
Until there is a consequence for racism and threatening others… This will be norm and will only get worse.
At least this is what I see here in a red state. (USA)
You’ll experience racism if you are considered a minority in the country you’re in; it’s how it is. However, you should continue to live your life. Live where you want to live.
Racism?
In Europe?
Youre telling me the continent founded along xenophobic lines is racist?!?!
If you think racism is Europe exclusive I have some bad news for you buddy
She did get to play her part!
It’s sad that she had to go through that. I hope this doesn’t put them off other POC participants in the future.
They should just have black women in the role from now on. Maybe have black men do it too for fun.
A few decades of black people in the role exclusively should cause all the racists to stroke out and die.
Finland was Sweden, damn. Didn’t know that.
Part of Sweden for hundreds of years but Finns were always lower class citizens to them. Sweden also used lot of Finns in their wars. For example the legendary cavalry unit ”Hakkapeliitta”.
