Paljasjalkainen vai junantuoma? / Helsinkian by birth?

Ever since I declared that I am running for Helsinki city council for the first time 4 years ago, I have been asked if I am a Helsinki dweller by birth or if I arrived from elsewhere in Finland by train.

To put the record straight, I am an immigrant. I arrived by flight, and this city has been my home for about 10 years now.

Many other candidates like me are running for public office this time. This is only going to increase, as our city gets more international, and people become city-dwellers through many different routes. Hence, I hope we can retire this irrelevant and outdated question about people's origin, and focus on relevant details like the candidate's abilities, boldness and collaboration skills.

In this way we can make municipal politics in Finland inclusive for everyone.

And inclusive politics create an inclusive city. Isn't that what we want?