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.

  • john89@lemmy.ca
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    4 days ago

    I keep saying this: the only nations that aren’t racist are the ones that don’t have to deal with actual diversity.

    • qevlarr@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      I don’t understand, isn’t it the other way around? Places with actual diversity are less racist. The places where everyone looks the same, are breeding grounds for racism. They think they’re being overrun when there’s one black or gay family in their street.

      • john89@lemmy.ca
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        4 days ago

        Japan is very racist.

        I’m not saying every nation that doesn’t have to deal with diversity isn’t racist. I’m saying the only nations that “aren’t racist” are the ones who don’t have to deal with diversity.

    • boredtortoise@lemm.ee
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      4 days ago

      Racist parties get most votes where there’s no diversity. Other people aren’t the reason racists do what they do