A recent report from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) has sparked controversy after suggesting that Europe is "too white" and "too Western." The report, titled Welcome to Barbieland: European Sentiment in the Year of Wars and Elections, was published on September 25, 2024, and has led to fierce debates on the future of Europe’s identity.
Authored by Pawel Zerka, a senior policy fellow at ECFR, the document argues that Europe must embrace more diversity to thrive in the modern world. Zerka emphasizes that non-white and Muslim populations have been alienated in European societies due to what he describes as a rise in xenophobic and far-right political movements. According to the report, far-right parties in various countries have gained traction, often advocating against immigration and even proposing the deportation of large migrant populations, as seen with the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
This is big! People are finally waking up to the fact that yes indeed they are being replaced.
Many of us have been calling this out the last few years and have been called conspiracy theorists and all manner of things but it was planned for years.. https://t.co/gXJmSjh5Gk pic.twitter.com/tR3tuwsEe2
— Aisling O’Connell (@AislingOConne11) July 31, 2024
The ECFR report describes Europe’s current makeup as a “Barbieland”—a place that falsely perceives itself as ideal and progressive while maintaining an exclusionary identity. It advocates for a shift away from the "ethnic" conception of Europe, which ties the continent's identity to its historical whiteness and Western culture. Instead, Zerka urges a redefinition of Europe that embraces a "civic" notion of belonging, which is more inclusive of migrants and people of non-European descent.
The notion of Europe being too white has drawn strong backlash from conservative and nationalist figures. Prominent voices like Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch political commentator, have labeled these claims as a deliberate effort to undermine European heritage. Vlaardingerbroek took to social media, saying, "Europe has been a predominantly white continent for the entirety of its history. Just because some bureaucrats have decided against the will of the people that we should suddenly be a minority on our own continent, doesn’t mean we should let it happen. Say no to being replaced".
Another shocking attack — A White girl in Finland gets brutally attacked by a group of migrants.
These group attacks on Europeans have become a common sight across Europe.
The solution? Large scale remigration. pic.twitter.com/OP9zGgqkxO
— iamyesyouareno (@iamyesyouareno) August 13, 2024
Her concerns echo the sentiments of many across Europe who view the call for more diversity as part of a larger "Great Replacement" agenda, which some believe is aimed at deliberately altering the continent’s demographics. The “Great Replacement” theory posits that Western elites, along with international organizations like the United Nations, are encouraging mass immigration to displace white Europeans and undermine their cultural dominance. Though this theory has been dismissed as a far-right conspiracy by mainstream media outlets, its influence continues to grow across Europe and America.
Supporters of the report argue that Europe must evolve to survive in a globalized world. They highlight the importance of creating more inclusive societies that integrate immigrants and minorities, a stance shared by many left-leaning political parties. Critics, however, see this as a direct attack on European traditions, values, and the continent's Christian heritage. Many believe that calls for diversification threaten Europe’s cultural fabric and have been used as political tools by globalists to weaken nation-states in favor of more centralized control.
The debate surrounding the ECFR report reflects deeper tensions across Europe, where rising immigration, demographic shifts, and multicultural policies have ignited fierce political battles. Far-right parties have gained momentum in countries like Italy, France, and Germany, capitalizing on public discontent with the European Union's handling of immigration and cultural identity. These parties often frame their platforms around preserving national sovereignty and rejecting what they view as excessive political correctness and globalist interference.
As the political landscape in Europe continues to evolve, the clash over what it means to be European is far from settled. With growing calls for both greater inclusivity and a return to traditional values, the continent faces difficult choices about its future direction. The ECFR report is only the latest flashpoint in a broader conversation that is likely to shape European politics for years to come.
