Helga West's essay "Kick the Pretty - Meghan ja minä" has been published on our website

Helga writes how Finnish racism and European colonialism are reflected in the reality of the Sámi. She finds correlations in the experiences of Meghan Markle, an American actress who experienced racism in the British court, and a Sámi who experienced Finnish racism.

The essay is published as part of our participation in the ongoing I Am Antiracist -campaign. The campaign is organised by the Ministry of Justice, the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman and a group of experts. The second part of the campaign, entitled "Antiracist Future", has been underway from 24th January until 6th February. It is possible to join the campaign even after that. Read more on the campaign’s homepage. Culture for All encourages its member organisations, collaborating partners and organisations in the art and culture field in general to join! The aims of the campaign are, among others, to encourage public discussion on antiracist action, to activate people and organizations to take concrete action to promote equality and to envision an antiracist, more equitable future.

During the campaign we have highlighted the activities of the Diversity Agents we have trained. Diversity Agents are art and culture professionals as well as experts in equality and antiracism work. Diversity Agents provide for example trainings to support art and culture organisations' antiracism work. We will also very soon publish a section focused on antiracism on our website.

We also wish a Happy Sámi National Day on 6th February! Buori sámi álbmotbeaivvi buohkaide! Pyeri säämi aalmugpeivi puohháid! Šiõǥǥ saaʹmi meersažpeiʹvv pukid! Glad samisk nationaldag!

Have you already visited the Finnish National Museum’s wonderful exhibition Mäccmõš, maccâm, máhccan – kotiinpaluu -näyttelyssä? Culture for All warmly recommends!

More information on the exhibition and its background in English here:

Finnish National Museum’s wonderful exhibition Mäccmõš, maccâm, máhccan