As opposed to critics of multiculturalism who have been vilified in the Finnish media.
It would appear that there are some in Eastern Finland who reject having multiculturalism shoved down their throats. The YLE article is vague as to what constitutes a ‘disruption’ in the eyes of these ‘racialist’ researchers, no instances were given nor are any police reports referred to, and no indication of the ‘abuse’ received on Face Book.
It’s not to say that tempers are not flaring over these issues, people have a right to demand what exactly is this multicultural utopia that the politicians, academics and the media (the iron triangle) are creating, is going to eventually look like. The need to refrain from threatening people, but challenge their ideas and agendas, is paramount. Personally, I would welcome any ‘racialism’ university researcher to exchange their thoughts with me, and catch it all on tape.
Our researchers into racialism and multiculturalism have been subjected to threats. Anonymous threatening letters have been posted to their homes and researchers have faced abuse on facebook. […] According to the statement, meetings discussing racialism, multiculturalism and Islam have been disrupted. As a result, some researchers are now reluctant to appear in public.
Racialism researchers at University of Eastern Finland are subjected to abuse
Unions representing employees in the University of Eastern Finland are concerned over external pressures aimed at restricting their research into racialism and multiculturalism.
They say the University must have a visible role in combating racialism.
In a joint statement, the unions state an internationally orientated university should be specifically concerned over increasing racialism and a toughening of attitudes in eastern Finland.
Basic values such the freedom of science and justice presuppose that teachers and researcher must be able to actively participate in society.
According to Union representative Antero Puhakka of the Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals (JUKO), the statement was issued at this time as university researchers have become victims of abuse.
”Our researchers into racialism and multiculturalism have been subjected to threats. Anonymous threatening letters have been posted to their homes and researchers have faced abuse on facebook. Complaints regarding the activities of researchers and teachers have been filed with the vice-chancellor or to a higher authority”
Puhakka adds that the action has been co-ordinated and is aimed at restricting the participation of researchers and teachers in society.
”We emphasize that an absolute policy of zero tolerance must be adopted,” Puhakka noted.
According to the statement, meetings discussing racialism, multiculturalism and Islam have been disrupted. As a result, some researchers are now reluctant to appear in public.
The unions remind that the aim of the University of Easter Finland is to promote internationalism and to increase the number of international researchers and students. It calls on the university to secure an acceptable climate in society that permits this.
