Is Finland A Racist Country?
From a black immigrants perspective
Is Finland a racist country? In my experience, no. I get asked this question often, and I understand why. I wrote a tweet about it in an attempt to express my thoughts:
“Listen… There’s a reason I’m so against calling a country like Finland racist. It’s because I see how distorted and cherry picked those accusations are! It’s infuriating.
Finnish people get grouped as racist because they are overwhelmingly white. People honestly think the Finnish culture is a one to one copy of other historically white countries. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their history is incredibly different.
Finnish culture is really strange - if you’ve never experienced it
I’ve heard someone say Finns are racist because they “ignore him” in public. Bro, they are literally showing respect for your personal space! Also, they ignore everyone. That’s the vibe out here.
A complete misunderstanding of the culture will have you thinking all sorts of things.
I’m not against having nuanced conversations. But by constantly attempting to paint an entire group as racist, you will ironically cause racial tensions to rise, where there was none.
There are racist individuals everywhere on the planet. Just like there are people who hate women, overweight people, gay people, etc. We live on planet earth. Not heaven, unfortunately. Someone out there hates you for who you are.
In my experience, respecting the cultural norms will earn you respect and welcome- from the vast majority of Finnish people. If you so wish, you can live in peace and prosper in this country.
How about we share more stories of success! Of triumph?? There is so much good here worth celebrating.”
This post on X gained a lot of attention, and it even caught the eye of a journalist who reached out to ask me a few questions. So, I decided to write a blog to answer those questions and share my perspective on why I believe Finland, while not perfect, is a great place and not a racist country. I'm speaking from the experience of living here for almost six years now.
1. Are you saying in your post that there’s no racism in Finland, and the Finnish culture just gets misunderstood for racism?
I have never said (in this post or anywhere else) that there is no racism in Finland. Racism exists everywhere, in every country. There is no escaping it, just like any other kind of bigotry. Someone, somewhere, will hate you for who you are. That’s life. You can’t read someone’s mind or magically look into their heart.
This challenge becomes even harder when trying to interpret the intentions of people from a completely different culture, history, and tradition. Finnish culture is indeed different when compared to other predominantly white countries. Some cultural norms here can easily be mistaken for racism. For instance, if you jump on a bus, you’ll notice how few people are eager to strike up a conversation.
To reiterate, there are indeed racist individuals in Finland, just as there are anywhere else. But I firmly reject the notion that Finland is a racist country.
2. What is your background? Have you ever experienced racism in Finland?
I was born in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), but my family moved to South Africa when I was about three years old. That’s where I grew up, during a time when Apartheid was still fresh in everyone’s minds. Growing up in South Africa then was interesting. Race was a major part of most conversations, and there was a lot of racial tension. Generations of racism and prejudice influenced our politics, sports, and daily lives.
I experienced both racism and xenophobia. But as I grew older, I built a strong community of friends and developed thicker skin. Racial tensions eased somewhat over time, though they didn’t disappear entirely.
In Finland, I haven’t experienced blatant racism. I can’t pinpoint a specific moment where I felt someone was being overtly racist toward me. Perhaps one debatable instance a few years ago, but I can’t be certain.
3. How would you describe Finnish people and culture from an immigrant’s point of view?
Finnish people and culture are often misunderstood, especially by newcomers. At first glance, Finns can seem distant, cold, or reserved. Over time, you realize this is rooted in respect for personal space rather than unfriendliness. Finns generally avoid unnecessary interaction—not because they’re avoiding you specifically, but because they value privacy and prefer to be left alone.
Culturally, Finns are straightforward and practical. They don’t waste words, and their actions often speak louder than their expressions. This can be surprising for immigrants used to more overt displays of warmth or social interaction. However, once you adjust and understand these cultural differences, you start seeing them as unique strengths rather than flaws.
Finnish society is also incredibly fair and inclusive. As an immigrant, I’ve experienced the same legal protections and opportunities as any Finnish person. The culture is built on principles of equality, hard work, and preserving traditions, all of which contribute to the country’s success. While some may initially struggle to adapt, embracing these differences leads to a deep appreciation of what makes Finland so special.
4. What kind of response has your post had on social media?
I feel that my post has received mostly positive feedback on X. Many Finns are tired of being labeled as racist for having valid concerns about immigration, integration, and other societal issues. Internationally, Finland often gets negative attention in the media.
So, a post like mine—which is simply my personal opinion and lived experience—is refreshing for some people. Living in Finland has been life-changing for me. This country has taken good care of me. I’ve felt incredibly welcome, and I deeply admire Finnish culture. It seems my post resonates with those who are afraid of being unfairly judged for their views and are relieved to see someone else expressing positivity about Finland.
5. What would you say to people who say they have experienced racism in Finland?
I would never want to invalidate anyone’s experiences. Racism is an ugly thing, and it exists everywhere. It needs to be opposed. According to polls, most Finnish people believe racism has no place in their country.
If someone experiences overt racism, I’d advise them to confront the person if it feels safe, leave the situation, or report it—especially if it’s in the workplace or becomes dangerous.
I’d also remind them that for every one racist person, there are thousands of good-hearted, honest, and hardworking people. Personally, I reject broad claims that Finns are a racist people. That’s absurd. I’ve never felt freer or less judged by my skin color than I have while living in Finland.
Not everything in life will work out as we want. Not everyone will treat us how we think we deserve. Every country has its issues, including racism. But having lived in South Africa, I can confidently say Finland handles these challenges better than most places on the planet. There’s always room for improvement, but here, it’s possible to live well and peacefully.
That was about it. I could go a little deeper into each question, and maybe I will in other blogs.
The Finnish people are currently fairly “colour blind”. Meaning that the average person doesn’t really care what you look like. They’re more concerned about your actions. If you’re chill, and act within their cultural norms, no one cares.
But this is my warning.
If Finland begins pushing identity politics; calling people racist for being uncomfortable with certain cultural practices - that are alien to them. Or amplifying negativity against Finnish culture as a whole... This country (over time) will become increasingly race conscious.
As a South African who calls Finland home, trust me, you do NOT want to go down that road. Let’s not create problems that are not here. Let’s keep pushing the idea that humans are valued only by the content of their heart, not the colour of their skin.
I will oppose this destructive narrative trying to be built here.
But otherwise, thank you for reading. Follow me on X, and checkout my podcast called Easy Vibes. Feel free to watch the video version of this Substack on Youtube HERE