OVERVIEW

Sweden is noted as being a liberal and tolerant society, and that is how it is experienced by most of its people and visitors. The country has not suffered the racially motivated attacks and troubles found elsewhere, and unlike other European countries, Sweden has only some small, fringe neo-Fascist groups.

The immigrant population of Sweden, however, has swollen so that almost 10 percent of Sweden’s 8.8 million population come from beyond Scandinavia. These immigrants have reported some ethnic tensions.

The worst fire in Swedish history is suspected by some to have been motivated by racial unrest. More than half of the 400 teenagers who packed the Macedonian Association community hall (licensed for a maximum capacity of 150) in late October were from the former Yugoslav republics. Of the 173 injured, one third were in seriously or critically condition; the death toll is over 60.

Some of those who mourned the death of loved ones feared that hatred from the terrible conflicts of that region had come to Sweden with its newcomers. Police officer, Bengt Staaf, said, " ‘We are investigating that possibility (of arson), but we have no proof of it.’ "

An 18-year-old Moroccan student, Sokejne, is quite clear in her own mind about the cause of the fire:

‘Somebody did this. It wasn’t an accident. Goteborg is so calm. It’s hard to believe anything like this could happen. But the fire couldn’t have spread so fast if it was just an accident.’

The Stockholm METRO ran an article discussing racial relations and the fire at the disco on November 5th. The same day someone or some people went around Gothenburg and set up posters that said; " ‘60 immigrant teenagers dies (sic) in a fire, now 60 Swedes are going to die in a fire.’ "

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. This tragedy may have been caused by an electrical malfunction. What do you think?
2. Why do you think racial tensions and violence are more prevalent in some societies than others?
3. Around the world, though more in some places than others, young people are expressing themselves in brutal violence. Where does this come from, and how can it be prevented?

 

IMPLICATIONS

• The serious injuries and deaths of so many young people is not only terrible for those who suffer or lost their lives; it produces trauma in many others.
• We must be pro-active about racial harmony and about safety, especially as they relate to the young, the poor, and the marginalized of our societies.

Dean Borgman cCYS

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