The Elephant in Multicultural Sweden

Abstract: In this study, I have investigated “the elephant in the room”, namely the tension surrounding discussions and interactions regarding ethnicity and race in Sweden. Specifically, my aim has been to unveil the dominant ideas that “whites” and “non-whites” use to morally navigate through tensions in this multicultural society. Methodologically, I have conducted four focus group interviews with students from Lund. I used a Vignette method, whereof the participants were introduced to five scenarios each with their own marker of difference. In this case, each scenario concerned their own moment of tension. As such, I have collected information on three specific issues, which this study presents as following: 1. The dynamic exchanges in the sessions; 2. The similarities between “whites” and “non-whites” views and experiences; 3. The differences between these groups. My analysis shows that participants morally navigate by using three dominant ideas: relevance, access and risk. In this case, I argue that these ideas materialize differently between “whites” and “non-whites”. “Non-whites” could more easily connect the relevance of each marker of difference to their experiences of standing out in Sweden. In addition, “non-whites” had more access when speaking about ethnicity and race, partly seen by how easy-going the subject was in-between “non-whites”. Also, “non-whites” had less risk of being accused of being prejudiced. Meanwhile, “whites” had less experience of standing out and instead made each marker of difference relevant to themselves through certain legitimizing ideas. Further on, “whites” perceived themselves to have less access to speak of these matters, partly due to running greater risks of being accused of being prejudiced. In short, “non-whites” guided their moral navigation through their perceived access whilst “whites” rather focused on the risks. Besides enforcing the importance of these ideas, I have also managed to show that my second-order distinction of “white” and “non-white” was important.