United States recalled its Ambassador to Sweden in February 1968 in protest to Palme (then Minister of Education) participating in a demonstration in Stockholm against the war in Vietnam. In 1972 relations between Sweden and the United States were frozen for over a year after a speech by Palme (PM) comparing the US bombings of Hanoi to other atrocities such as the bombing of Guernica and extermination of Jews at Treblinka. The U.S government called this a “gross insult”. Asked about Palme, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once answered that he usually disliked the people he agreed with and liked the people he disagreed with, adding dryly: “So Palme, I liked - a lot”. Olof Palme is also remembered for his engagement in liberation of oppressed people in third world countries (South Africa, Nicaragua, Palestine, El Salvador etc.) and his harsh criticism of the Franco Regime in Spain, apartheid in South Africa. One of his most memorable visits was with the Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Meeting between Olof Palme, Lisbet Palme and Fidel Castro, Cuba 1975

Palme was very popular among the left and Social Democrats, but had equal number of enemies on the right. His assassination is still an unsolved case, 22 years later. The speech below was made in 1965 in a radio broadcast and addresses the attitude towards immigrants and refugees living in Sweden and people’s prejudices. The voice is of Palme and music by Latin Kings. Watch, listen and enjoy! (English translation below)

Democracy is deeply rooted in our country. We respect the principals of freedoms and human rights. Murky racial theories haven’t ever got any foothold in our society. We gladly perceive ourselves as unprejudiced and tolerant. Yet it’s not all that simple. The prejudice has a much simpler origin. It has its foundation in the daily life. It takes root at work, in the office and around the neighbourhood.

Prejudices and intolerance are outlets for our own failures and frustrations. It is above all an expression of ignorance and fear.

Ignorance of other people’s distinctive characters, fear of losing a position, a social privilege, a right of option. Human beings’ colour of skin, race, language and place of birth has nothing to do with human qualities. To judge and categorise human beings with such gauge is greatly contradictory with the principles of human equality. But it is shamefully simple to use for the one who feels inferior, at work, in social life, in competition for the girl, or the boy.

That is why prejudices always await around every corner, even in an enlightened society. It may display itself in a careless comment. The person who acts might not have bad intentions, but it tears up wounds in the receiving end which will never heal.

Olof Palme