Irina Bernebring Journiette

If you’re not from Sweden you’ve probably missed all the debating that’s been going on recently. A dragged on debate, inflated by ignorance and the lack of education and which has left my faith in humanity somewhat damaged. First there was the outcry and the sudden “need to defend Swedish culture” after someone happened to mention that the fact that it was always the colored kids that was asked to play the role of the gingerbredman during the celebration of Lucia. Then came the “oh-so-horrible-the-world-is-trying-to-destroy-all-that-is-Swedish” cry when it was made public that Disney had decided to cut back on the racial and cultural stereotyping in it’s Christmas show. Ignorant voices cried out in some disharmonial unison, “If the immigrants don’t like our traditions–they can leave.” HOLY crap that escalated quickly. I have no idea how all of a sudden it became linked to migration policies (or even the Swedish government). But.. I did. And so, my faith in humanity slowly crept away. But then. Out of the blue came the rebuttals, one by one I saw and heard friends speak out about the pure non-sense being plastered over facebook. And so. My faith in humanity slowly started to return.

Then came phase two.  My mother arrived today from Saudi, she landed in Copenhagen carrying not one, not two, but three large suitcases. Not one single soul offered to help her with her bags, they all just stood looking at her with smirking eyes. And so. When she told me, my faith in humanity disappeared. And I hated all of you (Scandinavians)(us?) for being self-obsessed, small-minded people and I cursed at you in my mind. But then. As I was about to drag two of her suitcases up the four flights of stairs to her apartment a teenage guy approached me. Looked at me and said: “I’ll help you with that.” And so, by his simple little gesture. He managed to store my faith in humanity. Thank you dear sire.