Poor Miss Finland dethroned, Finnish MPs is in hot water over slanted-eyes gesture posts

Finland’s representative at last month’s Miss Universe pageant in Thailand has been stripped of her crown after a viral photo sparked an international racism controversy.

Sarah Dzafce, 22, uploaded an image showing her pulling the corners of her eyes, accompanied by the caption “eating with a Chinese”. The gesture is widely regarded as offensive to East Asians and prompted strong backlash in Japan, South Korea and China.

Finns Party MPs in Finland's 'eye-slitting' relay /X

The fallout extended beyond the beauty queen, with criticism also directed at Finland and its national airline, Finnair. The controversy has since drawn condemnation from Finland’s political leadership.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Monday that making such gestures was “thoughtless and stupid” and described the episode as “damaging” to the country.

Ms Dzafce claimed the gesture was a reaction to a headache during dinner and said the offensive caption was added by a friend without her consent, according to Finnish tabloid Ilta-Sanomat.

She later issued an apology on Instagram, saying the post had “caused ill will in many people”.
“That was not my intention in any way… One of the most important things for me is respect for people, their backgrounds and differences,” she wrote.

The apology itself drew criticism, with some commenters calling it insincere because it was written in Finnish.
“Not sure Chinese outside of Finland would understand it. Such considerate and sincere apology,” one commenter wrote.
Another said: “That was uncalled for, Asian people didn’t do anything to you… We [are] still disappointed in you.”

The controversy deepened after two right-wing Finnish MPs, Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, posted photos mimicking the gesture in apparent support of Ms Dzafce. Both posts were later deleted. Eerola apologised, saying the former beauty queen had received “disproportionately harsh punishment”.

Prime Minister Orpo criticised the lawmakers’ actions as “childish” and said MPs should set an example of proper conduct. The Finns Party is reportedly considering whether disciplinary action is warranted.

Finnair confirmed the backlash had affected the airline, including calls for tourists to boycott Finland.
“The statements or posts mentioned by some Finnish members of parliament do not represent the values of Finnair,” the airline said on its Japanese X account.
“As an airline supported by employees from diverse backgrounds and customers around the world, we promise to welcome everyone with respect.”

The issue has also reignited debate over racism in Finland. A Japanese resident launched a petition calling for an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination, which had gathered more than 7,000 signatures by Sunday, according to Asahi Shimbun.

Finland’s embassy in Japan said it had received “numerous opinions and questions” on the country’s efforts to tackle racism, acknowledging that “racism remains a challenge in Finnish society, and its resolution requires continuous and resolute efforts”.

The Miss Finland Organisation said removing Ms Dzafce’s title was a “difficult but necessary” decision.
“Miss Finland holds a position of role-model status, which requires respecting all people regardless of their origin, background, or appearance,” it said.
“We are deeply sorry for the harm these events have caused. Especially to the Asian community, but also to everyone affected. Racism is never acceptable in any form.”

Faridah Abdulkadiri

https://www.arise.tv/miss-finland-dethroned-after-viral-slanted-eyes-photo-sparks-international-racism-backlash/

By GAKUSHI FUJIWARA/ Correspondent

Two Finnish members of parliament came under political and public fire for posting photos and videos on social media making a slanted-eyes gesture, widely regarded as racially offensive to Asians.

Representatives from the ruling coalition parties were scheduled to meet on Dec. 16 to consider disciplinary action, according to a spokesperson for the prime minister’s office.

The two parliamentarians belong to the right-wing, anti-immigration Finns Party, a member of the four-party ruling coalition.

A Finnish member of the European Parliament also posted a similar photo.

The controversy arose after a woman crowned Miss Finland was stripped of her title on Dec. 11 over a photo in which she pulled up her eyelids with her fingers to mimic upswept eyes.

Juho Eerola, one of the lawmakers, told The Asahi Shimbun on Dec. 15 that his intent was to defend the pageant winner because he felt it was a “disproportionately harsh punishment.”

“I am deeply sorry that my photo caused offense to Asian people,” he said, adding that he is prepared to apologize as many times as necessary.

In response to an inquiry from The Asahi Shimbun, the spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, Anne Sjoeholm, said on Dec. 15 that Finland “takes racism seriously and is committed to taking action to combat the issue.”

“There is no place for racism in Finland. Politicians have a responsibility to serve as examples in this respect,” she said, quoting from a government action plan.

In an interview broadcast on state radio on Dec. 14, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, leader of the center-right National Coalition Party, condemned the posts in question as “childish.”

A Japanese man living in Finland started an online petition protesting the offensive gesture and calling for an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination and measures for improvement.

The campaign had gathered more than 7,000 signatures by the evening of Dec. 14.

The Embassy of Finland in Japan wrote on social media on Dec. 15 that “sustained and determined efforts” are required to address racism.

The post said it is important to bring “experiences and observations of racism and discrimination” into the public discourse.

Historically, the slanted-eyes gesture has been used to mock Asians. It is now regarded as a typical form of anti-Asian discrimination.

In Western countries, images of the gesture have repeatedly sparked outrage.

As recently as August, the Swiss watchmaker Swatch was forced to apologize after using an advertisement featuring a man pulling up the corners of his eyes with both hands.

Source :

Asahi