It seems like the clouds covering Melbourne is crying just as much as I am. The rain keeps falling down, and it is almost a small comfort. Norway is crying, and people all over the world are showing their support, in forms of words, flowers and tears.
I woke up early today so I could prepare for my classes, but ended up on the Internet again, which has been prioritised more than anything else this weekend. News about home seemed more important than sleep. The first thing that met me on all the web pages was gatherings of people all over Norway, sharing the sorrow and praying for the ones that are still lost. Ten thousands of people was gathered in front of a stage in Oslo, all holding roses, and as a shaky but beautiful voice sang “Mitt lille land” (My Little Country) all the flowers were raised high up in the sky. One of the survivors from the island massacre said, “Together the teenagers wanted to make Norway, and the world, a better place. They stood together for justice, for solidarity, for equality, and against racism. Someone tried to take this away from us, but never before have we been united like we are today”.
I can’t describe how impossibly proud I am to be Norwegian today. Despite the fear and sorrow we all feel, people are standing together to protect the elements that make Norway into what it is, and answer the terrorist not with violence, but with more humanity and democracy.

I spoke with my mum for the first time since the attack today. She told me that the unity that can be seen on pictures on the net is just a small part of the country’s recovery; every time you meet someone you know, you hug, shake hands, pat backs. People talk about the future, and how to help the survivors and the people who have lost their loved ones. No one talks about the man who is responsible. No one should.

I’m aware that this isn’t very relevant to this course, but in many ways it can be. I don’t know how I would have coped with everything if I were unable to get the news and updates through the net. I have been able to follow the developments, the numbers of people missing, the capture of the man, and last but not least, the first steps towards recovery and the endless love that is being shared in my country. It has also helped inform the world about this terrible massacre, so people can be aware of the political views of this monster, and fight against it. But of course is there both good and bad sides of it.

This man had a plan, a plan he’s been working on for maybe as much as nine years. Every photo you see in the news of him is photo’s he took knowing that they would travel around the globe. He published a manifest, which he knew people would read, and he added a video on youtube, which is some kind of short version of this manifest. He interviewed himself, wrote about his life, knowing that people would want to read it to try and understand his actions. My biggest fear is that we are doing exactly what he wants, that I’m doing exactly what he wants right now, writing about him, giving him attention. In these days it is so easy to find whatever you wish to find on the Internet, even if it should not be shared. He is able to spread his ideology, his thoughts and ideas, while being locked up in prison. In the last couple of days I have spent hours looking for every piece of information I could find about events happening, but also for information about this man. I did the mistake of looking at his youtube video, and I ask everyone who reads this to avoid it; it is not worth it.  Don’t give him the satisfaction, don’t let him win.

Mitt lille land

I want to thank everyone for the support and comfort I have been given, face to face and on Facebook.  “When one man can cause this much evil, imagine how much love we can create together”