A day that changed our view on the world

As worried messages from friends all over the world are coming, it might be time to say a few words. That's why this is in english.

In the past years the climate among people in our part of the world has been the opposite of global warming. Today racist remarks that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago are ok. And even shared by a majority. As a result also the right-winged movements have grown. Both in size and extremism. Due to an incident in our labour union a while back with a member, I've seen some of the discussions and meanings which are uttered in these member-only web-sites. For me unbelivable that someone can say these things. And even more difficult to believe that they actually meen those things.

With the financial crisis, increased unemployment and increased migration especially from the Middle East to Europe radical parties all over Europe have gained power. In Norway as well. I've been worried for quite a while about the situation, who have reminded me more and more about how we've learned Europe was before the second world war. And my fear have been where the world were going. Why didn't we learn from those horrors?

As the news arrived yesterday about a bombing, I have to admit it crossed my mind that this might be a terror attack from a non-western group. After all, Norway has been a part of the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and now Libya. And I was worried about what this would do to increase the tension and racism in our society. Especially against innocent people with the only "mistake" that they have another religion and skin colour.

But then reports about shooting on the island Utøya where the youth of the Labour Party have been gathered for their annual summer camp came on the radio. And in a strange way I was relieved when the police said the accidents were connected. Because the attack on these youth meant it would have to be crazy norwegian, and that this would have to be ideologically or politically motivated.

At the moment I work in VG, a newspaper very close to the bombing yesterday, luckily we were going to another part of the country for the weekend, so I left work early. None of my colleagues were injured, only the building. As an active part of the labour union in the past years, as is my better half Roger, the day has been spent to verify that everyone we know are safe. The ties between the labour union and the Labour Party are close and strong, and it appears that one from our Labour Union is missing. Incredible and unreal that someone can be shot in our democracy for his political beliefs.

At the moment the Labour Party is part of the government in Norway, one of the few remaining socialistic governments in Europe. This was an attack on our government, their youth and the labour movement.

My hope is that that this unbelivable tragedy might help us to move our society in a new direction. Back to those values we've been so proud of. Back to a society we all can feel pride in being a part of.