A Swedish national flag and national jersey on a balcony in Klippan.
Photographer: Carsten Snejbjerg/BloombergRacism Has Become Part of Everyday Life for Minorities in Sweden
The Nordic country’s reputation as a liberal haven is in tatters as the Sweden Democrat party wins over more voters and racism flourishes
It didn’t take long for Chinedu to feel unwelcome in Sweden.
When he arrived from Nigeria in 2018, joining several hundred thousand Africans in a country of 10 million, at first he thought he’d found the tolerant, inclusive society that was regularly near the top of global rankings for quality of life and happiness. He enrolled in Malmo University and worked towards a Masters in international migration studies, made friends and got a job. But he said he and his family soon encountered racism, and he’s now so fearful for their safety that he asked not to be identified by his real name.