Defending Multiculturalism

After a some cold, grey and rainy days which were unusual for mid July I decided to take a walk through the sun-flooded streets of the city. The pedestrian zone was crowded, like always, locals and tourists shopping and carrying bags, young people keeping busy with their phones, a group of retirees sitting in front of a restaurant and watching the street event. In one word: life. 

At once I remembered the tragedy of Oslo and Anders B.'s crude manifesto. According to his vision Europe had to be 'cleaned' from left-winged Multiculturalists, peace-activists, consuming capitalists and most of all Muslims. 

I looked around. Two punks, each a bottle of beer in his hand asking some girls - one wears a shirt with an oversized peace-sign - for a cigarette. Traditionally dressed women, probably from the Emirates, strolling side by side and giggling. Street artists performing pantomime and painting. Gipsy musicians playing melancholic melodies. All of them would be vanished.

Heading towards central station I walked through the vivid streets full of groceries and kebab restaurants. The fresh flavor of oranges, bananas and pineapples hung in the air. Families were sitting outside having an early dinner. Old men were playing board games, in front of them glasses filled with tea. A group of children crossed my way, huge eyes stared at me, followed by a big smile. All of them would be vanished.

And I would sorely miss it.

The multicultural togetherness is anything but failed. The only ones who really failed are guys like Anders B. with their fatal world outlook. It is up to us to watch out for people like him and to try to convince them from being wrong with their views. Unfortunately peace is not taken for granted. But a basic step in this direction is made accepting oneself and each other as part of a community.