I continue to believe in democracy

A few days ago, on Friday July 22nd, Norway experienced a terror attack: the bombing of the Governmental headquarters in Oslo and a massacre at a Labour-party youth camp at Utøya, an island in Buskerud County. Today, a few days later, I finally manage to put in words some thoughts, after being occupied with digesting the overwhelming amount of images, messages and news washing over me. Almost a 100 people were killed (about 68 young politicians age 16-25), and many more were seriously injured. Shortly after the attack, people were inclined to blame muslim extremists to be responsible for everything and started questioning the norwegian immigrantspolicies and the lack of assimilation. The perpetrator turned out to be a 6 ft. tall, blond, blue eyed norwegian, claiming to be an anti-muslim christian, desiring to "start a revolution and reform the european governments" and called his attack "awfull but necessary." 

I don't know any of the victims, but nonetheless I've been moved to tears, I'm appalled and shocked. Why? Could it be the fact that my oldest son was about to attend a similar political youthcamp this week, on the same island, Utøya? Or the fact that I, and many of my friends and family, have studied, worked and live in Oslo? Could it be a fellow grief due to a sense of "lost innocence", that our peaceful country has become an innocent victim of hatred and violence? Are we shocked about the fact that the perpetrator wasn't an "alien" or "one of them", but as a matter of fact "one of us"? Why has this episode moved millions of people, around the globe, to send condolances and flowers, light candles and pray for Norway? I think this episode, has shaken us all, and challenges our conceptions, believes and values.

http://www.vgtv.no/#!id=42454

This video shows the response of a young politician, Stine Renate Håheim, being interviewed by a journalist at CNN. Her words match the messages of the norwegian Prime Minister and the King of Norway: 

"To those who are responsible for this attack: You are not able to destroy us, you can not destroy our zeal for democracy! No one can ever scare us from being Norway! This evening and tonight we will take care of each other. We will never give up our values. The answer to violence is even more democracy, never naitivity!" (Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg July 22nd, 2011)

"I continue to believe that freedom is stronger than fear. I continue to believe in an open norwegian democracy and society. I continue to believe in our opportunity to live in liberty and safety in our own country." (The King's speech on July 23rd 2011)

No, I'm not a norwegian citizen, but I've lived here for more than 20 years and I'm proud of this small country, where its inhabitants refuse to be broken and, instead, stand together in grief and refuse to give up the basic norwegian values: democracy, equality and liberty. Today all over the world, at 12 am, norwegian time, norwegians have taken a minute of silence, to remember all who have been killed or injured in this terrorattack. I hope you will do the same, and join us in our peaceful fight for democray, liberty and safety. Let's be the change we want to see in the world!