Music as a site for Africanness and diaspora cultures: African musicians in the white landscape of Finland

African Immigrants in Finland in Onward Translocal and Transnational Mobility and Migration, and the Political Implications

“…Although some studies have found issues of racism and discrimination against Africans and some other immigrants in Finland, especially in the employment market and everyday life (Egharevba & Hannikainen, 2005; Forsander, 2008; Heikkilä, 2005; Ndukwe, 2015; Rastas, 2009, 2013a; Shote, 2011; Tiilikainen & Ismail, 2013; Valtonen, 2001), none of the studies has examined one of the resultant effects— which is, their onward translocal and transnational mobility/migration. To fill this gap in research is the major aim of this article.…”

“…In this hierarchy, Africans are not considered high not only because of their color but also their continent of origin— Africa —which has been negatively reported with so much exaggeration and vilification by the Western media as a haven of war, political instability, poverty, humanitarian aid, and famine (Rastas, 2013a) as if these Western media are blind to ongoing progressive developments in the continent.…”

“…Compared with other immigrants in Finland, Africans are arguably the most victims of racial discrimination. In fact, marginalization against Africans in Finland dates back to 19th century when, as Rastas (2013a) found out, Rosa Emilia Clay (later Lemberg) became the first African immigrant to leave Finland for reason of racial marginalization. Clay was born of a Namibian mother and a British father but moved to Finland with a Finnish missionary couple in 1888 from Namibia.…”

“…She studied to become a teacher, and later taught in some Finnish schools, especially in Tampere, where she led “an active social life” and was liked and respected by many of her students and colleagues. Yet, despite these, she still “faced prejudices and cruel racism” in the mainstream Finnish society, which eventually led to her departure for the United States in 1904, never to return (Rastas, 2013a).…”

“…Also, the implementation of non-discrimination law is said to be easier and more accessible to immigrants in the United States than in Finland. In fact, discrimination against Somalis in Finland (as with many Black Africans) is commonplace and almost in every sector (Forsander, 2008; Rastas, 2009, 2013a; Tiilikainen & Ismail, 2013). Strangely, despite the existence of relevant courts, prosecuting offenders under the Finnish Non-Discrimination law—which states that “Nobody may be discriminated against on the basis of age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, opinion, health, disability, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics” (2004, 6§, see also Finnish Ministry of Employment & the Economy, 2010b)—has been very slow (Egharevba & Hannikainen, 2005).…”