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However, racism lives and flourishes in Finland in the same way as antifeminism and downright misogyny. One reason for the growth of racism is right-wing populism.

In their recent article, Culture Studies researchers Tuija Saresma and Sanna Karkulehto from the Ģ��ֱ�� and Piia Varis from the University of Tilburg, Netherlands, examine misogyny and racism spread by right-wing populists. Their study is entitled ”Gendered violence online: Hate speech as an intersection of misogyny and racism”.

– Racism is characteristic to right-wing populism that foments the distinction between ”us” and ”others”, Saresma describes. Drawing distinctions by gender and skin colour is pertinent to the politics of populist leaders in different countries, and it seeks to justify violence against these “others”. Far-right populism can be found in Finland and Germany as well as in Hungary and the United States.

In the article, the term right-wing populism refers to the nationalist political ideology, which is spreading in different countries, and in which e.g. immigrants or multiculturalists are labelled as enemies of the nation. Right-wing populism points out white skin colour as a natural characteristic to mark membership in the nation in the same way as masculinity has been - and still is - a natural characteristic of leaders in the far right populist spheres.

The article analysed the social media postings of two rightist populists: Jussi Halla-aho, the Chairman of True Finns, and ex-President Donald Trump. It was found out that the affective social media postings by these influential white male populists sought to incite racism toward racialized groups, and were targeted on women, in particular. The tactics of both these persons include simultaneous flirting with racism and denying it. Both attack individual, personally identified women on the social media platforms in order to hurt and silence them. Neither of them apologise for their statements.

The researchers stress that social media communication to harass women and racialized groups is digital violence, and it also increases other forms of violence, not just verbal ones. It lays ground for racist and misogynist violence. Racist talk has consequences. Therefore, it is important to root out derogatory talk concerning particular groups of people and condemn any racist and misogynist messages.

Further information:

Senior Researcher Tuija Saresma, Research Centre for Contemporary Culture, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, email: tuija.saresma@jyu.fi

Communications Specialist Anitta Kananen, tel. +358 40 8461395, anitta.kananen@jyu.fi

Original publication:

Saresma Tuija, Sanna Karkulehto & Piia Varis (2021) Gendered violence online. Hate speech as an intersection of misogyny and racism. In Violence, Gender and Affect. Interpersonal, Institutional and Ideological Practices, s. 221–243. Edited by Marita Husso, Sanna Karkulehto, Tuija Saresma, Aarno Laitila, Jari Eilola & Heli Siltala. London: Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-56930-3_11