Finland's representative at the Miss Universe pageant, Sarah Dzafce, has sparked controversy after a photo of her mimicking slanted eyes went viral, accompanied by the caption 'eating with a Chinese'. This act, perceived as offensive towards East Asians, led to her receiving backlash from countries like Japan, South Korea, and China. Following the uproar, Dzafce was stripped of her Miss Finland crown, with the prime minister labeling the gesture as 'thoughtless and stupid'.
In her defense, Dzafce stated that the pose was an attempt at humor to express her discomfort due to a headache, and claimed the caption was added by a friend without her consent. Despite her apology, which included an acknowledgment of the offense caused, criticism persisted, with some claiming her regret felt insincere.
Two Finnish MPs showed support by mimicking her gesture, although this also drew condemnation and resulted in their posts being taken down. The controversy has compelled Finnair and other Finnish institutions to reaffirm their commitment to diversity and combat anti-Asian sentiment, amidst calls for a boycott of Finland by some tourists. A petition has emerged from the Asian community in Finland demanding an investigation into racism, emphasizing the need for ongoing resolution efforts against discrimination within Finnish society. The Miss Finland Organisation justified her dethronement as a necessary step in upholding a role model's position that reflects respect for all backgrounds.
In her defense, Dzafce stated that the pose was an attempt at humor to express her discomfort due to a headache, and claimed the caption was added by a friend without her consent. Despite her apology, which included an acknowledgment of the offense caused, criticism persisted, with some claiming her regret felt insincere.
Two Finnish MPs showed support by mimicking her gesture, although this also drew condemnation and resulted in their posts being taken down. The controversy has compelled Finnair and other Finnish institutions to reaffirm their commitment to diversity and combat anti-Asian sentiment, amidst calls for a boycott of Finland by some tourists. A petition has emerged from the Asian community in Finland demanding an investigation into racism, emphasizing the need for ongoing resolution efforts against discrimination within Finnish society. The Miss Finland Organisation justified her dethronement as a necessary step in upholding a role model's position that reflects respect for all backgrounds.
