Changing the Narratives of the Immigrant and Black Community
Living in Finland for nearly 19 years, i am not just as a candidate but as a member of the community and the country at large. I am one who believes in unity, diversity, and inclusion. I am running for municipal office to change the narratives surrounding the immigrant and Black community in Finland, particularly for English-speaking immigrants like myself who face unique challenges.
For too long, stereotypes and misconceptions have overshadowed our stories. Our communities are filled with resilience, ambition, and hope. We contribute to the economy, enrich the cultural landscape, and inspire future generations. Yet, language barriers and biases often limit our potential. This campaign is about redefining representation and amplifying our voices, ensuring that our stories are heard and celebrated.
Important to me
Redefining Representation: • Message: “Our Stories, Our Voices, Our Future.”
Focus: Challenge stereotypes by highlighting the contributions of immigrants and Black communities, including English-speaking residents who bring valuable skills and perspectives.
• Action Points:
Promote inclusive media representation with multilingual content.
Advocate for municipal communication materials to be available in English, ensuring accessibility for non-Finnish speakers.
Political Participation and Civic Engagement: • Message: “Representation Matters.”
Focus: Encourage political participation among English-speaking immigrants by ensuring language inclusivity in civic engagement platforms.
• Action Points:
Provide election information, municipal services, and civic materials in English.
Establish forums where English-speaking residents can engage directly with local decision-makers.
Economic Empowerment and Opportunity: • Message: “Empowering Communities, Building Prosperity.”
Focus: Address barriers to employment for English-speaking immigrants, ensuring equitable access to job opportunities and professional growth.
• Action Points:
Push for anti-discrimination policies in recruitment processes, emphasizing skills over language fluency.
Promote language support programs in workplaces to aid integration without penalizing non-Finnish speakers.