(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
We also let in once, when we knocked on the door ourselves.
“Give me your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses longing to breathe freely. The wretched forsaken on your teeming shores. Send them, your homeless, storm-ravaged, to me. I raise my lantern at the golden door.”
This is how Emma Lazarus has welcomed millions of immigrants at the foot of the Statue of Liberty upon entering New York. It's a little springy, that statue, where it enthrones with cups from Karmøy, and mocks xenophobia and avarice with its magnificent "welcome". A line runs from this national gift to the United States from France, to the peak of our prosperity
pyramid in Holmenkollåsen, where Voksenåsen is located and conveys the legacy of the Norwegian national gift to Sweden. A gift also for hospitality and support, when we knocked, pursued by the Nazis' derision of humanity – and let in.
Today is overturning they inside us. The fugitives are just doing what any caring person must do: escape the sinking ship. Leave the burning village. Save their children and the elderly. Yes, it is said that "they tumble into Europe". There is a one-per-thousand-per-thousand proportion of people who have lost their brains who try to enter Europe and do what we would all like to do. They are the ones who "overturn" into us. One thousandth, which we feel threatened by. Poor countries "in the immediate areas", on the other hand, see their population increase by 20-30 per cent. At the same time, we and Europe are closing our borders. But we have no reason to hide. Norway should take to heart the philosopher Henry Levy's biting criticism when he concluded his article ("Syndicated") about the refugee tragedy we have seen in the media in recent weeks. Because we have only seen it in the media; yet we have hardly seen a human being – but unfortunately we have heard far too many of the shameless mentions of people in need, not least from far too many of our own politicians and leaders. So let me replace Europe with Norway and hear what Levy says – to us:
"Norway, ravaged by xenophobia and beset by insecurity, has turned away from its own values. Yes, indeed, we have forgotten what our values are. Therefore, the bells are not just ringing for the immigrants, but for Norway, which sees its humanistic heritage weathering right before our eyes."
But not misunderstood. We would like to help, preferably "in the immediate area", i.e. far away, so we don't hear the sound of distress or smell strangers. And we would say it differently than Emma Lazarus, we would say:
"Came to me. Give me your well-educated and hard-working, give me those who can build our gross national product. Feel free to send them to our depopulated fishing villages, and our unmanned nursing homes, so our golden bank accounts can continue to shine. Then we will welcome you here to us as well."
The bells are not ringing for the refugees. It is us. We are in deep water now.
