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Image credit:  IStock | Oslo, Norway - Mixed group of people on Aker Brygge, an area along the harbor with shops and restaurants.

Attack on Norway was an Attack on Diversity

To the ear, it was the sound of glass shattering, sirens wailing and innocent citizens screaming to stay alive. To the eye, it was the sight of smoke, destruction and death. To Norway and the rest of the world, the Norway attacks of July 22nd were among the most horrifying attacks on humanity since 9/11.

Anders Behring Breivik, a right-wing extremist, is responsible for taking at least 76 lives that day. When he was confronted about what he had done, Breivik explained that the attacks were "atrocious, but necessary." While Breivik somehow believed that these attacks would eliminate the spread of Islam and liberal immigration policies, the government is responding by making society even more open and democratic.

I don't believe an atrocity like this is ever justifiable. What I find particularly unjustifiable (and ironic, really) in this scenario is that Breivik sought to "better" society by tearing it apart.

Multiculturalism and pluralistic ideals are growing rapidly across the globe. I believe intercultural communication is vital for society to progress, and it bothers me that extremists believe the opposite is true. I am concerned that this particular range of opinions may cause more and more controversy in the future, so here's my big question: What do "Youthink" we can do to show people the benefits of diversity?

Comments (1)
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wow.

This is awful. Absolutely awful to happen to a certain group of people due to immigration policies. Killing many is not something that would "better" society. Immigration is something that happens everywhere, with no restrictions against a certain group of people, that's just completely wrong. If that is now becoming reasoning for killing and harming one another, what has the world come to.

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April 2012 Issue: Youthink Magazine