The Miss Finland representative at the recent Miss Universe pageant has ignited significant controversy due to a photo she posted, which many found offensive. Sarah Dzafce posted an image where she pulled her eyes into a slanted position, with a caption that read “eating with a Chinese.” This gesture is regarded as disrespectful and harmful towards East Asians.
Backlash and Consequences
The offensive image quickly went viral, attracting widespread criticism from several East Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, and China. Following the backlash, Dzafce was stripped of her title as Miss Finland. The prime minister of Finland criticized her actions as “thoughtless and stupid,” stressing the negative impact on the nation’s image.
In her defense, Dzafce stated that the pose was a reaction to a headache during dinner, asserting that a friend had added the insensitive caption without her knowledge. Despite her apology, many found it lacking sincerity, particularly since it was issued in Finnish and not accessible to a broader audience.
Political Reactions
Several Finnish politicians responded to the incident. Two right-wing members of parliament, Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, showed support for Dzafce by posting similar images. However, their actions led to severe backlash, prompting the removal of their posts. Eerola later expressed regret, claiming Dzafce received an excessively harsh penalty.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo condemned the MPs’ support actions as “childish,” reminding them of their responsibility to uphold decency as public figures. The question of potential sanctions against the MPs is currently being deliberated within the Finns Party.
Impact on Finland’s Reputation
Finland’s national airline, Finnair, acknowledged that the controversy has had repercussions for the company, including calls for boycotting tourism to Finland. The airline emphasized that the statements made by certain politicians do not align with its values of diversity and respect.
- As of Sunday evening, a petition launched by a Japanese resident in Finland calling for an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination had garnered over 7,000 signatures.
- The Finnish embassy in Japan reported receiving numerous inquiries regarding the nation’s approach to racism.
- Officials acknowledged that racism remains a challenge in Finland and requires ongoing efforts to address.
Conclusion
This incident highlights ongoing racial issues within Finnish society. The Miss Finland Organisation stated that removing Dzafce from her position was a necessary measure to uphold the values of respect for all individuals. They expressed sincere apologies for the incident and its effects on the Asian community and beyond, reinforcing that racism in any form is unacceptable.
