Insights from Mustafa Sanger on multicultural challenges in Drammen, Norway

Mustafa Sanger, a teacher-in-training from Drammen, Norway, shares insights into his experiences as a young person with Kurdish roots in a multicultural city where nearly 30% of the population has an immigrant background. He emphasizes the importance of respecting elders, a value he has ingrained from his culture.

Despite being born and raised in Norway, he often feels treated as an outsider. Mustafa recounts moments of blatant racism, particularly during his youth and military service, including instances where he was told that “foreigners” had no place in certain environments.

While he feels discouraged by such views, he knows how to respond; he prefers to walk away rather than engage in debate, having learned to respect the elders in his life. He remains hopeful that his future teaching career could help combat alienation, ensuring that all students feel seen and included.

A survey by Statistics Norway reveals that nearly a quarter of immigrants have experienced racism or discrimination based on their ethnic background. Many young individuals reported facing racism and noted insufficient education on the topic in schools.

Sophia Akhremenkova, another young person of Russian descent, recalls how her surname brought her unwanted attention, especially after the onset of the Ukraine conflict. She has felt a shift in public attitudes towards Russians during this period.

Yolanda Benjarrano and Anthony Magallanes Fajermo, who also share their experiences, highlight the challenges of entering the Norwegian job market and the ongoing discrimination they face based on cultural backgrounds.

Lastly, newcomer Ahmad from Chad feels welcomed in Drammen, suggesting that being open fosters community integration. However, others, like Dacey Albakova, face negative comments tied to their cultural expressions, advocating for better understanding between different generations regarding cultural practices.