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categories that clearly arise from the discourses of race, expressions that in other
contexts may have nothing to do with racism are also sometimes put to use for
racializing categorization, especially ethnic labels and colour terms. Even though
many categorizations which are used among young Finns can be found in other
societies too, the analysis shows differences not only between different societies,
but also between children and young people, which highlights the problems in using
racial categories as analytical tools. The article also explores the conditions for
the construction of racialized identities, by examining how individuals negotiate
categories available to them, and how they themselves express their positionings in
racialized social relations. The analysis of how these are intertwined is suggested
here as a method that can reveal special characteristics of racism in a given
society. It also highlights the tensions and contradictions that set bounds for the
agency of those who are subordinated in racialized social relations.
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