The Debate on Structural Racism Is Far More Polarized Than It Needs to Be – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

The author contends that the debate over structural racism in Norway has become overly polarized, obscuring the lived experiences of people with migrant backgrounds. Drawing on 15 years of research, the author highlights the destructive nature of a lack of belonging and the existence of informal structures that challenge the inclusion of minorities. The text suggests that while Norway differs from the United States in its history of systemic segregation, it is essential to distinguish between societal intentions and the actual experiences of individuals to address inequalities in recognition and belonging.

• The public discourse in Norway regarding anti-racism and the concept of structural racism has become highly polarized, mirroring debates on immigration.
• Everyday racism, characterized by small daily occurrences rather than explicit discrimination or police violence, significantly impacts whether individuals feel they belong in society.
• Structural racism in Norway may manifest as informal, hidden structures that determine who is recognized as belonging, which are often imperceptible to those not affected by them.
• There is a critical gap between the intentions of the Norwegian state, which seeks to protect minorities, and the actual experiences of those minorities.
• The author's research indicates that while inclusion is often the predominant experience for people with migrant backgrounds, single exclusionary experiences can leave lasting scars.

APA

Erdal, M. B. (2021). The Debate on Structural Racism Is Far More Polarized Than It Needs to Be – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://www.prio.org/comments/791

Chicago

Erdal, Marta Bivand. The Debate on Structural Racism Is Far More Polarized Than It Needs to Be – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Peace Research Institute Oslo, 2021. https://www.prio.org/comments/791.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Erdal |first1=Marta Bivand |title=The Debate on Structural Racism Is Far More Polarized Than It Needs to Be – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |date=22 March 2021 |url=https://www.prio.org/comments/791 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{erdal2021debate, author = {Erdal, Marta Bivand}, title = {{The Debate on Structural Racism Is Far More Polarized Than It Needs to Be – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)}}, publisher = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://www.prio.org/comments/791}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }