Being Black in Finland - My experience

Living Beyond Race: An African's Experience in Finland

Being Black in Finland: My Experience

What is it like being black in Finland? This is a question I get asked often, mainly because Finland is a majority white country. People instinctively think that, because of this, I must be experiencing a lot of racial prejudice. But am I? I’ve been living here for around five years now, so I feel like I can answer that question quite honestly. Before I dive into my experiences in Finland, though, let me paint a picture of where I came from. But let me quickly take a sip of coffee before getting started -

Growing Up in South Africa

I grew up in South Africa, a very racially charged country for good reason. Apartheid, a system of governance that separated people by race, was a dehumanising regime for anyone who wasn't white. Fortunately, my family and I arrived in South Africa from the DRC (Congo) when I was around two years old, just as apartheid had ended. Although apartheid had officially ended, racial tensions and prejudices were still prevalent. This was the environment I grew up in.

As a child, I witnessed and experienced various forms of racism. Despite this, I made friends with people of different races and developed a thicker skin over time. In South Africa, race is a frequent topic of conversation. People can be judged simply by their skin colour; for example, if you’re white, people might assume you have money, and if you’re black, they might assume you’re a potential thief. This may sound strange to outsiders, but it was the reality I lived with.

Navigating Racism and Xenophobia

Reflecting on my life in South Africa, race was central to many issues. Hate crimes, often racially motivated, were not uncommon. South Africa is a melting pot of different skin colours and cultures, and race discussions, jokes, and even fights were a part of daily life. I experienced racism from white people, but interestingly, I also faced xenophobia from other black South Africans because I wasn’t born in South Africa. This was quite strange and challenging, as I dealt with prejudice not just from one group, but multiple.

As I grew older, my skin got thicker, and I learned to deal with the prejudice. Moving to Cape Town brought some peace, as I didn’t face as much xenophobia there. Nonetheless, race remained a constant topic in conversations, media, and government discourse. Despite these challenges, I still love South Africa and visit often (not as much as I would like) to see friends and family.

Moving to Finland

When I moved to Finland, I didn’t know what to expect. I had no prior knowledge about Finnish people or culture. However, the strangest thing happened: no one cared about my skin colour. It wasn’t a topic of conversation, and it felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. In South Africa, race was a constant nagging thought. In Finland, I noticed that people were more concerned with their culture. As long as you embrace Finnish culture, pay taxes, do your job, and don’t commit crimes, people are generally chill.

A New Experience

Living in Finland, I don’t think about my skin colour. I haven’t felt attacked or discriminated against because of it. Although some people might have different experiences, mine has been overwhelmingly positive. When I first arrived, I worked in the hospitality industry and was treated well as long as I did my job. Comparing Finland to America or South Africa does it a disservice; the history and cultural context are different. Finnish people, having been oppressed by Russians and ruled by the Swedes, seem to have a different mindset.

Finnish Society and Inclusivity

In my experience, the only people who have noticeably reacted to my skin colour were curious kids, and even that happened less over time. While I’m not saying there’s no racism in Finland, I believe it’s one of the most inclusive places I’ve been to. Finnish policies often aim to help people in financial need, regardless of race or gender, which helps level the playing field.

Immigration and Prejudice

With immigration being a hot topic worldwide, tensions have risen even in Finland. Some people might label this frustration as racism, but I think it’s more about protecting Finnish culture. Calling some Finnish people xenophobic rather than racist might be closer to the truth, considering their historical context. But this in itself deserves its own blog.

Conclusion

Being black in Finland is a non-issue for me. I don’t have to think about my skin colour daily, and that’s a relief. In South Africa, questioning whether someone’s behaviour was racially motivated was normal. Here, I don’t experience that. Respect generally begets respect, and while there are always outliers, my day-to-day life is peaceful and free from racial tension. I still love South Africa, but I also appreciate the freedom from racial concerns that I have in Finland.

In short, one can live here in relative peace without feeling like skin colour is the driving force behind how they are treated.

I would love to hear some of your thoughts in the comments.