Celebrities and everyman surround Sumaya Jirde Ali after she told about the incident with Atle Antonsen at a nightclub in Oslo. But many also wonder how that could happen. Why didn’t anyone intervene earlier? According to Atle Antonsen, the comments should be a form of failed humour. news has not been able to reach Atle Antonsen today for a comment. According to Sumaya Jirde Ali, there must have been several people around the table who did not defend her when she was allegedly subjected to racism. Comedian Magnus Devold has, among other things, apologized afterwards for not intervening, and says he was upset: Now more people are advocating for the responsibility of those who become spectators to racism. General manager Hatem Ben Mansour of the Antiracist Centre, believes the “spectator effect” helps to legitimize unacceptable behaviour. – It is difficult and tough to stand up and report everyday racism. I still think you should dare to speak up. Not speaking out also contributes to the fact that the person who carries out a racist act does not immediately understand it himself. – Somewhat the same thing we saw in Bernt Hulsker’s situation, where in retrospect you don’t understand that you have done something wrong, but rather apologize for having missed your audience. The former VGTV profile and footballer Bernt Hulsker was sentenced to a suspended prison term for hate speech earlier this year. – The fact that some trivialize we know happens in private spheres. The fact that it is now in the public domain makes it possible to address it. Photo: Artur do Carmo / news He refers to the first apology Antonsen allegedly sent to Ali, in which, according to her, he should have written, among other things: – I have learned that I owe you an apology from Saturday. Thoughtless to be a comedian around such a burdensome thing. – Typically men with power Mansour believes it is also about invisible power. A kind of hierarchy. And that those at the top can allow themselves a little more, as long as those below, who are similar to oneself, tacitly approve. – I think much of the reason why men of that age and in those positions continue is that they do not get any correction. – It is almost a bit typical of men with power, he says. A generation gap Shazia Majid is a journalist and commentator in VG. She also points to a clear generational divide. – It is the second case in a short time where a well-known Norwegian profile has been reported for hate speech. And what is common in the cases we have had now is that this is not the new generation of men. For the younger generation, this type of behavior is almost unthinkable in multicultural and diverse Norway, she believes. – The new rising generation has this in their spine, says Shazia Majid. Photo: Janne Møller-Hansen / VG Perhaps especially in Oslo, where every third resident now has a foreign origin. – The new rising generation has this in their spine. They read society and fellow human beings differently. They are more connected to the multicultural society we have created, says Majid. – Everyone has a responsibility Actor Kim Haugen believes the Antonsen case can contribute to more people taking action when we experience everyday racism in our surroundings. – Very few dare to say “stop it, cut it out, we shouldn’t have it like that in Norway”. Perhaps this case can end with something positive, that we all sharpen up. He believes racism happens every day, and that bystanders should be tougher. – I hope this case can perhaps make us dare not just stare down at the tabletop, but say “stop, behave properly”. Kim Haugen with his wife Nadia Hasnaoui at the comedy award in 2018. Photo: Inger-Marit Sæby/news.no Asking society to roll up its sleeves VG commentator Shazia Majid believes it is easier for spectators to react if they understand what is happening. – If we don’t talk about it often enough, if we think that there is so little racism in Norway, that this is so unusual, do we have the tools to recognize racism when we see it? She believes the case can give us insight as a society. – And that’s where society at large has to listen. Because it can’t just be those who are affected, who have to open up about unpleasant things. There must also be a desire to learn, to gain knowledge, so that you can detect racism when it happens. Hatem Ben Mansour believes it is important that Sumaya Jirde Ali went public with her experience. – If you had kept it in the closed room, I don’t think you would have obtained these perspectives in the same way.
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– Can give us insight as a society – news Nordland
