Shall we talk about racism?

I hope those of you reading this newsletter haven't missed this past week's reminders that structural racism is alive and well in Sweden. I am, of course, referring to Malou von Sivers' interview with the artist Greekazo and the Träningspoddenpodcast's stigmatization of Husby and stereotyping of girls from the suburbs. Yes, I call it racism because that is exactly what it is. The reason? Structures, of course!

Let's dig a little deeper into this.

Einár and Greekazo. Two young hip-hop artists. Both rap about social issues. One is white, the other is racialized. One is invited to Malou von Sivers' sofa with his Guldbagge-winning mother; the other is placed on the same sofa alongside "Arga Snickaren" (The Angry Carpenter), who is mostly there to promote his new program about drugs in Sweden. One conversation is a cozy moment; the other is an attack on a defenseless 17-year-old boy from the suburbs who is made to answer for violence and drugs in society, when all he probably wants to talk about is his music. Why aren't they treated the same? Why doesn't Greekazo get the same cozy treatment as Einár?

Jessica Almenäs and Lovisa Sandström. Two "polished girls from Kungsholmen" who host Träningspodden, one of Sweden's biggest fitness podcasts. "Poliched" because that is how they describe themselves when, in one of their episodes, they rant, laugh, mock, and diminish Husby and basketball-playing girls from the area. The entire segment in the podcast is a clear sign of two white people who have never understood their own privilege, who probably very rarely leave their bubbles, and who continue to uphold warped stereotypes and prejudices. Even worse, when questioned, they choose to block people, delete comments, and eventually offer an apology that proves they still do not understand the criticism.

As a Swede with a foreign background, I am certainly not surprised by either Malou’s attack or Träningspodden's stigmatization of the suburbs and the people living there. It happens every day.

But enough is enough. Now more than ever, it is time to start talking about whiteness and the privileges that come with being white. Something that neither Malou, Jessica, nor Lovisa has ever had to consider. I am not saying they are racists, but they must understand that they are part of the structural racism that exists in Sweden.

In every pitch meeting, with every new contact, every single day, I talk about the importance of those with the power to influence society taking responsibility for that power. TV4 and podcasts with thousands of listeners are influential actors that help shape our society. Unless they want to uphold racist structures, they have no choice but to start examining themselves, understand their own privilege, and actively contribute to a positive societal direction. Enough is enough. Because at some point, ignorance becomes an active choice.

Canan Yasar,
Creative Director and Founder