Full Breakdown
Finland's "Slanted Eyes" Scandal: A Deep Dive into Racism Controversy
12/20/2025, 11:34:22 AM
Core Event: The Origin of the Controversy
The controversy in Finland, dubbed the "slanted eyes" scandal, erupted following a social media post by Sarah Dzafce, the country's representative at the Miss Universe pageant. In late November, Dzafce posted a photo pulling back the corners of her eyes, captioned "eating with a Chinese person." This gesture, widely interpreted as mocking East Asian features, sparked outrage across Asia, leading to her being stripped of her Miss Finland title by the Miss Finland Organization on December 11, 2025.
Official Responses and Apologies
In response to the backlash, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo issued formal apologies to China, Japan, and South Korea, stating that the actions of Dzafce and subsequent posts by members of the Finns Party did not reflect Finland's values of equality and inclusion. Orpo emphasized the government's commitment to combating racism, asserting, "These posts do not reflect Finland's values of equality and inclusion." The Finnish embassy in these countries shared similar statements, reinforcing the government's stance against racism.
Political Fallout and Criticism
The scandal intensified when two right-wing MPs from the Finns Party, Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, posted similar images in support of Dzafce. Their actions drew condemnation from Prime Minister Orpo, who labeled their behavior as "childish" and contrary to the conduct expected of lawmakers. Eerola later apologized, expressing that Dzafce faced "disproportionately harsh punishment." The Finns Party is now deliberating potential sanctions against these MPs, reflecting internal divisions over the incident.
Broader Implications and Public Reaction
The fallout from the scandal has extended beyond political circles, affecting Finland's national airline, Finnair, which reported a backlash in Asian markets due to the controversy. Calls for a boycott of travel to Finland and Finnair have emerged on social media, highlighting the potential economic repercussions of the incident. Public sentiment remains divided, with some defending Dzafce and others demanding accountability for perceived racism.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the handling of the situation argue that the responses from both Dzafce and the Finnish government have been inadequate. Dzafce's initial apology, written only in Finnish, was deemed insincere by many, as it failed to address the concerns of those most affected. Additionally, some members of the Finns Party have criticized the backlash as an example of "cancel culture," questioning whether the removal of Dzafce's title was a reasonable consequence.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There are discrepancies regarding the intent behind Dzafce's original post. While she claimed the gesture was a reaction to a headache and that the caption was added by a friend without her consent, the widespread interpretation of the gesture as racist has overshadowed her defense. Furthermore, the Finns Party's internal discussions about potential disciplinary actions for the MPs involved remain unresolved, leaving questions about accountability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I sincerely apologize for recent offensive social media posts by individual members of Parliament, which do not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion,” — Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland
- “The events of recent days have caused deep hurt, disappointment, and concern both in Finland and internationally — fully understandably,” — Miss Finland Organization
- “This should not have happened.” — Jukka Kopra, National Coalition Party's parliamentary group chairman
What's Next
The Finns Party is expected to address the scandal in an upcoming meeting, where discussions regarding potential sanctions for the MPs involved will take place. The incident has reignited conversations about racism in Finnish society and the responsibilities of public figures, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and sensitivity in representation.
