There is something rotten in the stat of Denmark

1 - Den 05. Jul. 2009 - 21:32:07 skrev Jan Kristensen
Isn't it the other way around
I believe that a growing number of Danes are experiencing xenophobia abroad. There is even a webpage about this issue.

http://xenophobia.mono.net

I dont find racism widespread in Denmark, but the Danish population are concerned about how they will end up being extinct.

Our governent is deporting Danish citizens to Germany, Great Britian and United States where they unjust will end up being victims in show trials.

Maybe this concern cannot be understand by people outside Denmark.

2 - Den 10. Apr. 2009 - 17:23:46 skrev Catherine
racism
thanks for sharing this. we have so much healing to do here in the US, and all over the world. We must continue to keep our eyes and hearts open and our minds sharp. We must stay fully awake and thoughtful so that we can recognize and denounce any rhetoric or movement that vilifies any particular group of people whenever we encounter it. We must maintain our courage so that we don't hesitate to speak up against the dehumanization of our human brothers and sisters, because that dehumanization lies at the heart of all the bully tacticsof human history that have brought us slavery, racism, imperialism, colonialism, genocide, oppression, oligarchy, etc. Don't fear the bullies, call them out. We can all do better than the bully/victim scenario we've been given. We've also been given the capacity to envision and create a just and beautiful human family, we've been given the most amazing opportunity - so stay awake, see the truth, speak the truth, don't go numb, don't turn away because it isn't you that's being targetted (yet). Here's to LIFE.

3 - Den 10. Apr. 2009 - 01:55:58 skrev Lorraine
racism
Thanks for sending this Todd. I'll ditto Valorie's wise comment...may we all grow and learn together in peace and understanding.

4 - Den 03. Apr. 2009 - 16:49:52 skrev Janet
Something Rotten in Blaming the Victim
Blaming the Victims

I must admit that I was unaware of issues of racist/anti-immigrant/anti-Muslim attitudes in Denmark before I saw Holt’s and Larsen’s video. I assume the Danish People’s Party’s growing power is related to the fact that the economy has been in decline and that there are a large number of guest workers and their families from Muslim countries. The DPP found a successful political campaign formula in blaming the social and economic crisis on immigrants. It is very worrisome that fascist-like organizations like the DPP can gain serious power today.

Blaming the most exploited and the most vulnerable--the victims rather than the perpetrators of social ills—is typical in the U.S. I’m reminded of U.S. middle and lower middle-class blaming their social, economic woes on welfare mothers, the so-called welfare cheats, until Pres. Clinton largely dismantled the welfare system and effectively eliminated that scapegoat. Currently, U.S. people can see that the real welfare cheats are the wealthy corporate CEOs. Denmark should be careful that it doesn’t end up like the U.S. where there is practically no social safety net for the unemployed, the underemployed, and the temporarily employed.

I think all people must cast aside racist and other reactionary sentiments, feuled by groups like the DPP, and organize together with the poorest, most exploited people in their communities for everyone’s rights and against the corporate welfare system entrenched in global capitalism.

5 - Den 31. Mar. 2009 - 22:47:09 skrev Karryn
Some thoughts on healing racism
Racism is an infectious disease. We catch it in childhood from the society around us.
We are aware that it attacks the dignity of the vicitm; but it also undermines the dignity and humanity of the perpetrator.
The cure is recognizing that we are one human family at home on this beautiful planet, Earth.

White Danes, please enter into open dialog with these politicians about healing racism. They'll be more apt to hear it from faces that look familiar.

We must stand up against racism and protect the dignity of all people who are targeted with prejudice.

At the same time, I'm concerned that shaming people entrenches their defensiveness and behavior. I think that white people trying to heal ourselves from racism can help other white people to heal. After all, if we are one family, we have to leave an opening for people who were infected with racism to join the wonderful, diverse embrace of the human family.

6 - Den 30. Mar. 2009 - 13:00:26 skrev sam binkley
old habits die hard
thank you for bringing to light this urgent problem. it seems the legacy of euro-american supremacy so deeply rooted in the western perspective proves difficult to shake, even in these enlightened times.

7 - Den 29. Mar. 2009 - 14:08:15 skrev Linda
Danish Racism
Scratch the surface of virtually all cultures and the inherent racism shines through. I think there's a genetic component to the us-them mentality this video illuminates. But civilization, by definition, is meant to lift us out of the animal state into which we're born. Governments, which are supposed to uphold civilization, should not sink to the level of racism. We must all commit to countering such forces in our world.

8 - Den 29. Mar. 2009 - 05:37:10 skrev Jenny
Don't have illusions about the US
It is necessary to name and shame racists like these Danish People's Party members wherever they raise their ugly heads - BUT to think the US is some sort of a model of anti-racism is wrong and dangerous. Please don't kid yourself that the election of Obama has redeemed the US of its long bloody racist history so that it can now ride to the rescue of a Europe steeped in Fascism, and all will be well. While internationally outing Danish Fascists seems potentially powerful, calling on the might of America is potentially disastrous, and instantly diempowering. Address the Danish electorate loudly with the truth about their manipulation. Working-class people who might traditionally support rightist extremists when times are hard can't so easily be kept in the dark these days.

9 - Den 29. Mar. 2009 - 00:52:43 skrev Luke Gustafson
On "On Danish Racism"
Interesting video, I wasn't aware of this trend in Danish politics. The political tactic of demonization seems to be so effective that I am doubtful that conservative politicians will abandon it in the near future. So I applaud you for doing your part to keep it in check. It is reminiscent of the treatment that Mexican immigrants to the U.S. have received in recent years.

I have some difficulty with one aspect of an issue like this which perhaps someone could help me with. I am 100% against prejudice against a person due to their race but Muslims are not a race, they are a religion. I can't help but prejudge religious people of any faith; my prejudice based on the level of fundamentalism in their worldviews. For example, if my town was being settled by a significant number of evangelicals and altering the political landscape I would be concerned about that. In your case, where does one draw the line between honoring people of all backgrounds while at the same time protecting one's community from the effects of religious fundamentalism that threatens the rights of other groups (women, gays, etc) and threatens the authority of the scientific method?

I fully realize that the DPP is grossly exaggerating these threats to scare "good white people" and I'm also aware that Muslims are not homogenous in their fundamentalism just like Christians, but I am curious how others reconcile this situation where a religious group that oppresses and discriminates is being oppressed and discriminated against.

I believe Pres. Obama would speak out against the rhetoric of the DPP because it is the exact same brand of divisive politics that he campaigned against.

Luke G

10 - Den 28. Mar. 2009 - 23:11:39 skrev Petra and Richard Hepburn
There is something rotten in the state of Denmark! Oh, yes; there too!
First, this is a daring, helpful wake-up call for everyone (on this planet!); thank you ! We agree with the previous comments which remind us that racism did not end with the election of Barack Obama.
Secondly, the comments in the video on Nazi history name only Jews. Other victims, such as Gypsies, Socialists, Gays, and anyone in opposition to the Third Reich were equally vulnerable. Consider George Bush's fascist statement: "If you're not with us, you're against us."
Third, the text of this valuable video goes by so fast, that we find a second viewing is necessary, as well as worthwhile.
Finally we are saddened to realize that every country is plagued with some who think in this narrow-minded and unhelpful way! How can we believe that any particular frame of mind like the one exposed in this video will ever help us to a better world?

11 - Den 28. Mar. 2009 - 20:51:48 skrev Lost Inner-Space
Losing Ground
"An agreement to replace Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, is supposed to be reached in Copenhagen, Denmark, this December,..."

12 - Den 28. Mar. 2009 - 19:40:09 skrev sharon
reaction to video clip
I think the US addresses racism by promoting assimilation (code word for "oneness"). Barack Obama's election and message of change really isn't addressing racism in the US and should not be interpreted as a message of hope for the rest of the world. The racism and xenophobia that immigrants experience in the US and abroad partially happens because they have not yet assimulated to the mainstream culture. I know people are going to hate me for saying this, but Barack Obama was elected not only because he is a highly intellegent and qualified leader, but also because he is a good at assimulating. Many new immigrants are struggling to keep their ethnic identity, culture and traditions (because it is important to them), while working to live side by side with their neighbors equally. In the US, immigrants who hold on to their culture and are unable to easily assimilate (socially or economically) are marginalized and experience discrimation. Racism will continue to exist as long as we (whether through policies or mainstream media) promote national identities or any identities that are beyond race (as in the case of the US) or non-inclusive of the contribution people and leaders can make in the political landscape because they bring with them a perspective shapes by their race, culture, and tradition--that is unique and insightful. In the case of Denmark, it is outragous that political figures can be in office and promote racism. It happens in the US too, however their are small, grassroots organizations that tackle these issues head on and provide support, advocacy, and legal assistance to immigrants, in addition to working on national policies. I have to believe that these groups exist in Denmark and can provide more hope and action than President Obama.