Researchers seek to revive Swedens lost sense of social compassion

A Swedish Professor Reflects on the Country’s Shift in Values

In 1993, a professor at Stockholm University welcomed a Bosnian refugee into their home. The professor now expresses concern about the changes they have observed in Sweden over the past few years.

The new year began with an increase in racist and anti-Semitic incidents, as well as Islamophobia. The right-wing Sweden Democrats continue to dominate the political discourse. Greta Thunberg’s activism has also been met with criticism. Furthermore, the government cut 10 billion kronor ($1.09bn) in development aid.

Recently, a Quran with bullet holes was hung on the Central Mosque’s fence in Stockholm, and an Iranian couple who worked as assistant nurses for over a decade were slated for deportation to Tehran. The upcoming election is expected to be influenced by toxic political rhetoric about expelling individuals deemed “criminal” or those who do not adapt.

The professor expresses nostalgia for Sweden’s past values of empathy and acceptance. They recall the country’s willingness to accept thousands of Bosnian refugees during a difficult economic period, citing that they are now one of the best-integrated minority groups in the country. However, the professor notes that this sense of empathy has diminished over time.

They also remember a Swedish priest who risked his life to deliver aid at Sarajevo airport during the Bosnian War. The professor laments that such acts of kindness and bravery are now viewed as unusual. They recall meeting a comic book collector in Banja Luka whose daughter had escaped to Sweden, and how he described her letter about the beauty of Vargarda.

The professor’s reflections highlight the contrast between Sweden’s past and present values. The country’s shift towards more divisive rhetoric and decreased empathy is concerning for them.

Source: Al Jazeera