THE PRIDE OF THE POTATO

One day in her boredom, the little girl finds a book and starts flipping through it. It is the Norwegian Constitution of 1814. She becomes curious and goes with her father out into the community to find out more about this constitution, which she believes can be their salvation and good protector – and hope to be allowed to stay in Norway.

The Constitution of Norway is the very cornerstone of our democratic society and is the most important support and protection for society's democratic framework, human rights and consequently the individual's freedom and also duties. The constitution is - and should be like a potato. A potato can be served with all other food – it fits all and was always served as a help in times of crisis. Like the potato, the constitution could be used in decisions of everything that does not find its solution anywhere else. Like the potato, the constitution has also saved us when the need has been greatest! Sometimes the potato plague strikes and the potato rots. Can this also apply to the Constitution? Could it be that the Constitution for 200 years has provided grief, suffering and exclusion of individuals and social groups instead of the help it promised?

Today, the law says that all people are regarded as individuals, regardless of social, ethnic and religious background. Of course, the same principles should also apply in the meeting with the national minorities. At the same time, it is important to be aware that for many years a policy was pursued that resulted in major abuses against national minorities, and that the education system and the school were part of this.