By Kamzy Gunaratnam, Member of the Norwegian Parliament, Labour Party
First published in Norwegian on August 10. 2019, republished by the author every year since this date
Six years ago, a 21-year-old young Norwegian boy killed his 17-year-old adopted sister and attempted a mosque attack.💔
Don’t say he was a lone wolf.
Don’t say this was shocking.
Don’t say politics doesn’t create attitudes.
Don’t say attitudes don’t create politics.
Don’t say we couldn’t have avoided this.
Every fallen is a brother, we usually say. Every fallen is also a sister. Johanne Zhangjia was our sister.
I have thought about her often since August 10, 2019. I have thought about what it must have felt like to be shot. The physical pain. I have thought about the betrayal she must have felt – to realize that she was not safe – not even in her own home. In her own bed. I have thought about… What was she thinking? What was she feeling?
Because she is our sister – we have a responsibility.
Responsibility to prevent the exclusion that creates the perpetrators.
Responsibility to speak out when hatred is allowed to flow.
Responsibility to point out racism – even when it is uncomfortable.
Even if it is your friend, aunt, or cousin.
Never again – we said – because we have a responsibility.
So the question is – do we take responsibility?
Even when it feels hopeless.
Even when you feel powerless.
So, don’t say he was a lone wolf.
Don’t say this was shocking.
Don’t say politics doesn’t create attitudes.
Don’t say attitudes don’t create politics.
Don’t say we couldn’t have avoided this.
Because we _could_.
And we _can.
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