Finland: racist attacks against Black Lucia
Every year on St Lucia's Day, celebrated on 13 December, a young woman chosen by public vote carries a wreath of candles on her head at a ceremony in Helsinki Cathedral and performs charitable tasks during the Christmas season. In 2024 Daniela Owusu was chosen as the first Black Lucia - and was promptly targeted by racists, especially on the social media.
The racists have chosen evil
Savon Sanomat applauds Daniela Owusu:
“Owusu and her choir will make almost a hundred visits to hospitals, nursing homes and various events between Christmas and January. The funds raised by the Lucia collection help people and families who need support due to financial problems, illness or the like. The racists are attacking all of this goodness. They have chosen evil and feed it within themselves. The only right approach to racism is zero tolerance. ... The upcoming Christmas season reminds us that light will ultimately overcome darkness. A good example of this is Daniela Owusu, who not only stands for joy, light and compassion, but has also shown courage.”
Despicable and historically ignorant
For Ilta-Sanomat, criticism of Owusu is wrong for various reasons:
“The Lucia is elected in a public vote that takes place every November: she therefore has the support of the people. ... Those who send hateful messages to Lucia should take a look at the history books. The original Saint Lucia lived in Sicily, not Finland, and hardly looked like a fair-skinned Northern European. This is not just a Finnish tradition.”