16 april 2015

Say No To Xenophobia

In Sweden we have a lot of problems with xenophobia.
Mostly based on lack of knowledge. Or, if you ask me, a lot of stupidity and mostly selfishness.

In Sweden we have everything. Seriously, compared with most places on this planet, we have everything. Free School for 12 years, free food in school, free university, a social welfare system that makes it almost impossible to end up living on the streets, free health care, a very good public transport system, a high minimum wage, months of parental leave for both parents, very cheap daycare for children, cheap insurances and much more that makes life very easy to live, if you think about it.

We have enough to share, we have enough to take care of those running away from war, starvation, homophobia, dictatorships and other terrible stuff. We pay high taxes, yes, but that makes this possible. To help people that has no other choice than running from their home, their families and friends. No one WANTS to run away. No one wants to spend 3 months under a truck through Europe or on a small boat crossing the Mediterranean sea (with a high possibility of drowning). It's not a choice. It's the only way to maybe survive and give you children a future. Children that have no choice of where they are born. I am just LUCKY that I was born in Sweden with all these privileges it gives me.

I think we should all take a look at our selves and what we are complaining about. Concider yourself very very lucky and be humble and move on. Do not say that people from Somalia just come to Sweden and live on our tax money before you tried to understand where they come from. Someone that comes from a country without a working system (they got their first ATM EVER last year), with no schools, no government and no rules won't get into the swedish culture in a month or two. Would YOU be able to live like them if you had to move there tomorrow? Would you drop all your swedish traditions? Would you never speak swedish again with your friends? wouldn't you like to stay close to your family and friends?

Yes, maybe you do not wanna share, maybe you think we will lose all those great things if too many refugees comes to Sweden. Let me tell you shortly; It's not happening, I wont bring all the facts here, you can google it yourself. It is NOT affecting us to loose all that we have. We are ok! We will stay ok! Check the facts. The real ones.

Why I bring this up?
Because something terrible is going on in South Africa at the moment. South Africans are burning people alive, based on exactly this. Xenophobia. The thoughts are the same as I see a lot in Sweden; "they come here and they take our jobs".
Yes, South Africa has a way bigger problem with unemployment, I am aware of this. BUT, this has nothing to do with the fact that people are doing what they are doing now.
How can people, that live in a country that was ruled under Apartheid less then 30 years ago do this to other people? I am very very confused, upset, angry. WHAT are people thinking? How can anyone feel the right to abuse someone, even kill someone based in this?

I am just sad. People in SA should stand up and unite and make sure this wont continue for long.
Also, where the F**K is Zuma? Where is he now, why is he quit. Mr President, shame on you.

A pic from our office to stand behind Human Rights:

2 april 2015

6 months in Sweden

So, it happens to be that I will be in Sweden for 6 months this year. It's very exciting and also very scary. It's WAY out of my comfort zone, for sure. But I am pretty sure that what doesn't kill us really makes us stronger. I think Cape Town showed me how to make every situation the best as possible and that it's actually up to me to make sure I am happy. I will not be that bored and depressed in Swedish winter this time as I would a few years back. There is always things to do to feel better.

It's not that I dislike Sweden. It's just that it's not "home" anymore. Not as much as Cape Town is home. It will be some days when I will struggle hard with the cultural differences and yeah, the weather in november/december :) But I will also have so much fun!

TIME TO MAKE LIFE AWESOME AGAIN!