We have just been reeling in shock and disappointment that a racist extreme right wing party scored 12.9% in the Swedish elections – and rightly so. Then an email jolts me back to reality – reminding me that there is an extensive amount of racism in everyday life in Sweden – perpetrated by people not belonging to this extreme right wing party. Perpetrated by professionals in schools or health and social services etc. What has been a source of great sadness for me in Sweden are the stories of the victims of this racism. (have similar experiences - but that is not what this is about!) It is often parents of colour in custody conflicts who have been unjustly treated – or victims of abject racism in the work place or the educational system/universities; the parents of children subjected to extensive racist bullying at school– where the family is further traumatised by the lack of appropriate action. Often I do not know the people that contact me – I do not know how they find me – and this has been going on for some 10 years. What is very real is the injustice and their pain. I am sad and I am furious. The latest is a young dad of immigrant background – having real problems meeting his daughter living with an estranged wife. He sends me documents showing clear discrepancies in how the cases have been handled – yet nothing is being done to help him. I honour the political parties seriously addressing all forms of racism and the many professionals upholding their ethics. We need more than words and promises. I am deeply grateful to the many who engage and those who have assisted me to help the victims of these injustices that approach me. So my dear friend reading this please help me with the following: 1. Please double check if this is happening in your own context. If so please react. It is the professional groups themselves that are the best guarantors that their ethics are adhered to 2. If you are a researcher – please help to research these aspects and contribute to the creation of knowledge and awareness 3. If you are an activist please keep these people in mind – WE HAVE TO HELP! So yes let us be shocked and galvanised into action because of the successes of a racist party – but let us also address the everyday racism that is shattering lives and having an extremely negative impact on the health and wellbeing of victims!
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:57:12 +0000
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