Two Finnish parliament members from the right-wing Finns Party are under fire for posting photos and videos making a slanted-eyes gesture, widely considered racist towards Asians. The post drew widespread condemnation, with a woman who was stripped of her Miss Finland title over a similar photo expressing support for one of the lawmakers.
Finland’s government has condemned the gesture, saying there is “no place for racism” in the country. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called the posts “childish,” while an online petition gathered over 7,000 signatures calling for an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination.
Historically, the slanted-eyes gesture has been used to mock Asians and has sparked outrage in Western countries. The incident highlights Finland’s efforts to combat racism and promote diversity. The country’s embassy in Japan also weighed in on social media, emphasizing the need to address racism and bring its experiences into the public discourse.
Source: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16228248