Intolerance in Racism: Impact of Africans (black) migrants to social and cultural set up of Sweden: Theoretical Interpretations

Via: CBSNews

The interpretations of the theoretical understanding of cultural identities and the way race related concerns gets developed in human population. The determined theories for this purpose are Hofstede Cultural Dimensions, Critical Race Theory, Balanced Identity Theory and Multiculturalism Hypothesis. It is necessary to understand all these theories on the basis of gaining insight into the behavioural and psychological mindset of people from two different communities – Africans (black) and the Swedish population in Sweden. The interconnection between these two different cultures are highly recognised on global platform. However, there are instances of intolerance for the Africans (black) in Sweden. The increasing count of Africans (black) in Sweden is creating an existential threat to the original Swedish population (Neuding, 2018; Kantor, 2018; Robinson and Käppeli, 2018). The aforementioned theories offers logical analysis for gaining the reasons and causes of intolerance. These theories are will deal in clarifying issues of identity and the thread to establish multicultural establishment, for a better and peaceful Sweden. 

Hofstede Cultural Dimensions

The knowledge about the differences between two cultures is a very critical aspect to know (Griffith, et al 2008). 
Moreover, under the increasing influence of globalisation and expansion of economic scopes to earn, the cultural demarcations are getting more critical (Huff and Smith, 2008). However, this has been somewhat resolved by Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. According to Hofstede et al., (2010, p. 520) culture is “the collective programming of the mind acquired by growing up in a particular country”. Thus, culture is both directly and indirectly connected to the value system of a particular population residing in a specific demographical location.

In this context, Adeoye, (2014) stated that the cultural dimensions theory led by Hofstede is a very well built framework for analysing the cross-cultural features of different communities and their level of communicative interpretations. As these dimensions are specific in reflecting the cultural values of a particular culture, this theory is significant for understanding the cultural similarities and differences between Africans (black) migrants and the local Swedish population.

Culture as noted by Hofstede is a process of growing up, whereby people remains focused in the way of growing up. Hofstede came up with six cultural dimensions, which can be considered as determined tools for analysing, demarcating and further comparing different culture spread all over the world. These dimensions are (Hofstede, 2011) –

·       Power Distance,

·       Individualism/Collectivism,

·       Masculinity/Femininity,

·       Uncertainty Avoidance,

·       Long/Short Term Orientation, and

·       Indulgence/Restraint.

These are the dimensions that show conceptual grounds for comparing different cultures spread all over the world. However, it is very difficult to derive the similarities and the differences between two different cultures, yet Hofstede’s dimensions to compare the cultural differences and similarities between Africa and Sweden remains very appropriate. As for the cultural comparison between Sweden and South Africa (as a representative for African- black), offered by Hofstede Insights (2019); there are definite serious contradictions between these cultures. See Figure 1 below –

Figure 1 Cultural Comparison: Sweden and South Africa

Source: Hofstede Insights (2019)  

Power Distance (PDI)

The dimension of PDI shows the range of acceptance by a society for a community or population with less power. This is a range that refers to the state of power distribution initiated unequally, especially in the host nation. In case of Sweden this particular dimension gets detected at 31, whereas for South Africa, the land of black population, the acceptance appears to be 41. This shows that the Swedish population finds it difficult to accept powers availed by other communities.

Individualism and Collectivism (IDV)

In terms of this dimension, interests over individual interest prevails more over community based interests. As stated by Hofstede Insight (2019) South African culture scores 65, whereas the Swedish culture scores 71. These scores clarify that in South Africa he sense to work for community interest is more than encouraging individual interests. Collectiveness of the black population as represented by the South African population is more than the Swedish population.

Masculinity/Femininity (MAS)

This particular dimension makes an assessment of masculine strength as against feminine values, as observed by a specific culture. The score of black culture as represented by South Africa is 63, which is tremendously high in comparison to the Swedish score of 5. This shows that the black population remains more focussed towards their career, whereas Swedish culture with feministic attributes concentrates more in having a better lifestyle.

Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI)

UAI shows the range of tolerance of a particular society. Though the scale of tolerance is unpredictable, yet UAI offers some basic ideas about the ways the specific society handles the state of unpredictability and intolerance. This dimension is very specific in understanding the instances of threat to a culture, and the way people might react to the same. As for the score of South African (representing black), it is 49, whereas the score for Swedish culture, it is 29. This means that the black population is more inclined to tolerate than the Swedish population. 

Long-term Orientation (LTO)

In this dimension, the scores illustrates that more the score is, more is the culture is inclined to remain connected to its past to meet the challenges of the past. In case of South Africa (representing black culture) the score is 34, whereas Swedish culture scores 53. This means that Swedish culture is more focused in managing its future consequences and rewards, especially the aspects related to perseverance than the black population.

Indulgence vs. Restraint (IVR)

IVR estimates the act of regulating or otherwise suppressing gratification led by human drives. Indulgence score of 78 by Swedish culture against 63 score of African culture testifies that the Swedish population desires to indulge fun and human gratification.

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

The importance of considering Critical Race Theory (CRT) lies in its capability to identify the relationship status among different races, racial ideologies and the implementation of power among to respective races. Reece (2018) identified that Critical Race theory comprises of two major aspects - intractability of racism, & individual prejudice. The concern of inequality as noted by Ray, et al (2017) and Ray & Seamster (2016) noted that this particular theory derives that racism is inbuilt in the mindset of white people and they consider that dominating people of other colours is their common practice, due to their superiority in racial hierarchy. Delgado, et al (2012, pp. 12-18) on the other hand, referred that CRT is basically subject to analyse conventionally established civil rights of an ethnic group from specific racial origin. According Delgado, et al (2012, pp. 12-18) CRT lays emphasis on investigating conventional modes of civil rights along with discourses related to ethnic studies for varied racial origins. These are some of the determining factors that are liable to offer in-depth realisations about the economical demands, relevance of historical and contextual origins, concerns related to diaspora and self/group interest, and feelings of the respective community. The instruments of inequality ad discriminations are subject to go face critical analysis under CRT provisions. Love (2018) identified that CRT is a kind of progressive legal approach that tries to ‘expand jurisprudence’ in relation with racism as prevalent in American legal system as well as education structure, for eradication of inequality and discrimination. Love noted that CRT is connected to racial aggressions as displayed in an unwelcoming area, affecting retention of any other race (2018). In terms of African black population in Sweden the ‘unwelcoming’ ambience is gaining the form of intolerance and hence instances of random violence in Sweden. Love suggests that only through appropriate leadership approaches and creating positive and favourable ‘culturally diverse thoughts’ tolerance can be built on a long term basis (2018). As noted by Love (2018) CRT must get recognised as a ‘premiere educational construct’ through which the essence of retention of a particular community in a different social construct can be detected.

Under the categorical distribution of CRT, there is the trend of Colorism. Colorism is a kind of approach through which coloured-people, especially black complexioned people gains advantages as per relevant phenotypical proximity towards the white-complexion or whiteness (Reece, 2018). This refers to the colour of skin that is closer to white gains more sense of superiority than those who are away from the proximity of whiteness. Colorism notes that people with lighter skin-tone, thinner lips and noses, straighter hair-type, and lighter eyes, are superior and more preferred than those with darker skin-tone or black, thicker lips and noses, tight-coiled hair. Branigan et al. (2013) noted that the impact and obsession towards colorism is ubiquitous, as it can be marked that people with lighter skin-toned are getting more wages than black-Americans. Moreover, Monk (2014), specified that colorism is also partial in representing diverse mental and physical health of a person. It is the instant feeling of being more attractive in general that people with lighter skin-tone are more preferred and people with black skin-tone suffers discrimination and inequality. It is under the CRT provision that this notes that the black population of Sweden is definitely suffering from discriminations and inequalities in every aspect of social and professional lives. 

However, Reece (2018) adds that in contrary to the stereotyped notion of colorism, the increasing levels of competitiveness in economic front, is getting obvious responses in the business domain. In businesses, the chief considerations are getting specific towards having more efficient people than just restricting themselves to colorism. This developing contrary attitude towards colorism appears to be one of the causes that the black Africans were gaining more hold over the local population, in the business arena. Though the essence of intolerance is definitely there in Sweden, but it is the level of competence that must have offered better scopes to the black population of Africa to migrate to Swedish through Swedish companies. Moreover, the constant losing of dominance by the white population seemed to get visible in Sweden. However, it is hard to consider this act of losing as the key to intolerance among the Swedish population for the African black population.

Balanced Identity Theory

Greenwald, et al (2002) described Balanced Identity Theory (or the BTS) as a kind of formation constructed between group identification, group attitude, and self-esteem (see Figure below).

Figure 2 Balanced Identity Theory

Source: Greenwald, et al (2002)

As represented in the Figure above, Greenwald, et al (2002) noted the vertices are the ‘nodes’ that prevails in the semantic space. The outer edges comprises of basic three principles in relation with the nodes. The arrows inside the triangle are the interactive relationships between the constructs present at the outer edges. Greenwald, et al (2002) further illustrates that as these relationships are meant for highly salient modes of categories, existing with a society. The phenomenon of balance remains in contrast to the diversified status of the co-existing communities. In relation with minimal groups, in a wide society the balance remain obvious, but on wider grounds the same needs to be constructed in association with group identification, self-esteem, and group attitude. In this context, further speculations led by Dunham (2013) notes that any kind of manipulation in the constructs of the outer edge can create imbalance in the society. However, implementation of cognitive balance remains intake in relation with such manipulations, as the process of manipulation itself strengthens the constructs. Thus, BIT is all about a balanced approach to intergroup attitudes, with emphasis over inconsistencies related to the connection between intergroup bias and self-esteem (Dunham, 2013).

Focus over the maintenance of group identification, group attitude, and self-esteem, seems to get imbalanced as there are increasing cases of intolerance and violence growing in Sweden, is important. The intolerance towards the African (black) population is in need of BIT, from the grass-root level. It must be implemented within both African and Swedish communities.

The Balanced Identity Theory (BIT) is based on Heider’s social balance theory. As BIT has been constructed on the basis of social balance theory by Heider, it has the capability to introspect and analyse the activities of interpersonal networking as remains prevalent in the respective social construct (Heider, 1958, p.336). According to the critically analysed approach led by Situngkir & Khanafiah (2004), BIT is capable of analysing interpersonal networking of a respective amalgamated population within determined social agents. According to social balance theory, in order to bring balance in a social construct it is important to understand the process of evolvement of that particular group. The role of BIT, as notified by Heider (1958), concentrates in assessing ‘balance index’ for measuring prevalent social balance at both micro and macro levels of the society. The micro level is about the measurement of local balance index, whereas the macro level assesses global balance index. According to Cvencek, et al (2012) BIT is effective in offering a very balanced and unified results about the group attitudes, cultural stereotypes, self-esteem, and sense of adjustment in a community. Based on these critical capabilities of BIT, it can be noted that in Sweden, the positioning of the Africans (black) has attained serious status over the current Swedish population. 

As reported by Numbeo (2019) the crime index in Sweden and South Africa (representing African black) -

Figure 3 Crime Index

Source: Numbeo (2019)

A detailed illustration gets noted as-

Figure 4 Crime comparison between Sweden and South Africa

Source: Numbeo (2019)

From the data received from Numbeo (2019), it can be established that the crime rates in South Africa is more than what happens in Sweden. Moreover, the scale of safety is almost double than the scale as in South Africa. This is a very vast difference, and hence, co-existence of these communities under same roof is definitely a matter of imbalance, especially for the Swedish population. The concerns related intolerance in Sweden for the Africans (black) is growing tremendously, and among possibilities it can be noted that there is serious conflicts in co-existence of these two different cultures. It is also possible that the aggressive nature of African (black) and the superior attitude of the Swedish population are creating enough conflict.

Multiculturalism Hypothesis

Multiculturalism hypothesis as elaborated by Berry (2013), refers to the ‘policy of assertion’ that is effective in creating space for freedom, against all kinds of discrimination. It is this specific feature of this theory, that appears as the most appropriate tool for the settlement of peace in Sweden, and generate tolerance for the migrated Africans (black). According to Berry (2013) it is the ‘individual identity” that is responsible in creating gap between two communities. Berry (2013) stated that this theoretical approach “must be founded on confidence in one’s own individual identity.” The most effective implementation has been detected in terms of gaining results for migrant settlements as against the original or the indigenous population of a particular demographic region. The focus is in gaining route for culturally constructed plural societies. In reference to the current theory, the understanding of the Africans (black) migrants as against the original Swedish population, demands critical analysis over the aspects of intolerance in developing racial discriminations. The forte to gain intercultural connectivity for comprehending social psychological derivations. Moreover, as noted by Stephan et al., (2005) multiculturalism hypothesis is the way to secure identities and is relevant in safeguarding individual positioning in an intercultural set up. This is the core element that will offer illustrative grounds to know the causes and effects of racial intolerance in Sweden, especially for the Africans (black) migrants.

The definition for multiculturalism hypothesis as incepted by Berry, et al (1977) suggest that in a socio-political ambience, the feeling of security in the state of gaining economic livelihood along with the space to establish socio-cultural identity, lead to the process of accepting one another and generate the sense of positive relationships among the diverse groups. In contrary to such an arrangement, lack or threat to economic livelihood and socio-cultural security lead to the development of negative attitudes that further gets enhanced to a state of hostility among the co-existing groups. The cases of intolerance in Sweden can be related to the developing insecurity of economic livelihood and socio-cultural identity, among the co-existing cultural groups.

In this context, multiculturalism hypothesis gets very specifically recognised by Teng & Leong (2018) as a secured state of socio-economic ambience that is responsible to protect any kind of perceived threat or insecurity among the diverse cultural communities. An extensive research work by Ward, et al (2014) derived that countries like Australia, New Zealand and Sweden are estimated to be the most liberal cultures to accept the ideology of multiculturalism, whereas nations like Austria, Greece and Germany remain least interested in accepting the trend of multiculturalism (see figure below).

Figure 5 Multicultural Ideology in different Nations

Source: Berry (2016, p. 8)

A decade back, the participation Sweden in building cultural integrity and promoting multiculturalism seemed to be very active and the results are showing now, when concerns of intolerance is getting the upper hand in Sweden. Such developments are noteworthy, in re-establishment of multicultural ideologies among the new generation, especially in elation with migrant settlers from Africa (black). Yogeeswaran and Dasgupta (2014) found that construing ideological front for re-establishment of multiculturalism in a particular nation must remain in association with the process of creating wider common goals for all those people who are involved in the place of co-existence. Thus, in case of Sweden, development of multicultural ideology can gain acceptance, only when there will be adequate support from both the Swedish and African people residing in Sweden will get aware of it.

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