Ask Hetti
Black in Sweden
Scandinavian Insider’s Hetti Kett gives advice and answers your burning questions on social customs in Sweden.
Dear Hetti,
I am a college student in the United States considering working with Swedish businesses upon graduation. However, I am black and American. Would I be frequently asked about my race and nationality by curious strangers? I would not mind explaining my heritage and race with co-workers and friends, but the idea of being frequently asked by strangers is very aggravating. Also, I hear that there is a fraction of Neo Nazism in Sweden. What do you think the chances would be of coming across and being harassed by Neo Nazis in Sweden?
- Procrastinating College student
Dear Procrastinator,
You’re right that Swedish society is still more racially homogenous than the gloriously diverse gene pool you meet in the streets of New York or London. On the other hand, Swedes are educated in political correctness from the cradle and are highly unlikely to ask awkward questions about your origins. In fact, you will probably fit in a whole lot more easily in Sweden than in some parts of the great American Midwest. Here, you won’t stand out so much for being black as you will simply for being foreign. So you will have to make all the usual efforts at fitting in, which are to do with behaviour rather than appearance; feel free to read this column for useful tips. But, as a college graduate, you are probably bright, forthcoming and law-abiding - the kind of foreigner that most European countries welcome.
As for neo-Nazis, it is true, sadly, that a small number of these low-IQ losers lurks in unattractive neighbourhoods all over Europe. But relax, because the risk of you coming across them in your day-to-day life is extremely low. As a thinking person, you will get a decent job, make some intellectually curious friends and move in contexts where these socially challenged citizens feel deeply uncomfortable i.e. anywhere they might be required to articulate complete sentences.
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Bewildered? Bothered? Send your questions to Hetti Kett at
Dear Hetti -
for “Procrastinating College Student”, there is a good blog resource she can utilize, and I hope you’ll tell her about it.
The blog is called “Black Women In Europe”, and is a wonderful resource for Black women living in, or who may be moving to, Europe. It is full of news, cultural information, ideas for networking, and all kinds of other great stuff. The proprietor of the blog is actually even based in Sweden! Here’s the link:
http://blackwomenineurope.blogspot.com/
very kewl article, its sad that one has to even think about race when considering relocation, however as stated, the low iq excuses for humans are always trouble.
The post’s very professional
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Everything will be fine. You’ill have a happy here in Sweden.
I ahve been to Sweden on plenty of occasions and the people are very friendly and welcoming.
I am sure you will not have any problems.
Swedes are educated in political correctness from the cradle and are highly unlikely to ask awkward questions about your origins. In fact, you will probably fit in a whole lot more easily in Sweden than in some parts of the great American Midwest.
There are a lot less non-whites in Sweden compared to most other European countries. We have, however, the highest immigration per capita. But non-white immigrants are not at all assimilated into Swedish society. About seven percent of the population consists of immigrants, but not all are non-white.
Another important fact is that immigrants until recently were almost exclusively concentrated to three of the biggest cities; Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmoe. There they have their own suburbs where few real ethnic Swedes set foot voluntarily. They hardly speak our language nor identifies themselves as Swedes.
biggest cities; Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmoe. There they have their own suburbs where few real ethnic Swedes set foot voluntarily. They hardly speak our language nor identifies themselves as Swedes.
There they have their own suburbs where few real ethnic Swedes set foot voluntarily. They hardly speak our language nor identifies themselves as Swedes.
You’re right that Swedish society is still more racially homogenous than the gloriously diverse gene pool you meet in the streets of New York or London tiffany jewelry
My advice would be the same to this lady as anyone else entering a European country for an extended period of time, learn the language and culture!
I must also point out that people will be curious and will look at you but don’t take it the wrong way.
If a big blonde Swede was walking down a street in Japan they’d get stared at also.
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