Next Step Goals

Memorial in Oslo

O'Keeffe - April 17, 2012 

While Americans live in a fear-based society, Norwegians show more tolerance and compassion.

Last July a Norwegian man massacred 77 of his fellow countrymen, many of them teenagers at a summer camp. Anders Behring Breivik confessed to both the bombing of government buildings and the mass shooting at the camp. His trial starts today.

I lived in Norway my junior year of college. I attended classes and immersed myself in the culture, working at a jewelry store, a kiosk, a restaurant, and an amusement park over the course of 12 months. I also spent five months in a mountain survival and recreation program, so I was constantly close to nature. I majored in Norwegian, so I speak the language fluently. My heritage is half Norwegian. I'd go so far as to say that my psyche is largely Norwegian.

Response to Crises

So I find it curious how Norwegians are responding to their domestic tragedy, compared to how Americans have reacted to threats and acts of violence.

Granted, the U.S. has suffered losses far greater than Norway in terrorist attacks, whether the perpetrators be local citizens or foreigners. Still, Norwegians have always displayed this incredible sense of compassion and calm restraint that runs deep in their veins. I believe it has largely to do with their ongoing connection to nature. 

From a young age, Norwegians learn to embrace nature. They say that Norwegians are born with skis on their feet and it's entirely true. I've seen 3-year-olds tear up the ski slopes and ten-year-olds cross-country ski for miles across mountain tops. Have you ever seen a Norwegian bracing themselves against the cold? I haven't.