Today it's OK to send me a heart. But tomorrow 'we will use the July 22nd card' again.

Norway's July 22nd commemoration has become a hollow ritual, according to a sharp critique by Kamzy Gunaratnam, a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party. Gunaratnam argues that while people are quick to express solidarity on the anniversary of the 2011 attacks, this sentiment rarely translates into meaningful action against the hate and discrimination that fuel such violence.

“

Today it is OK for you to send me a heart. But tomorrow 'we will use the July 22nd card' again.

"Today it is OK for you to send me a heart. But tomorrow 'we will use the July 22nd card' again," Gunaratnam writes, highlighting the performative nature of annual remembrance. She contends that the focus on a single day allows individuals to avoid confronting the persistent issues of racism, xenophobia, and social inequality that persist throughout the year. The MP points out that the attacks were not an isolated incident but the culmination of a hateful ideology that has roots and continued manifestations.

“

This is not a condemnation. This is a cry for help: Wake up, for God's sake!

Gunaratnam draws parallels between the rhetoric preceding the Utøya massacre and contemporary instances of prejudice. She lists several victims of hate crimes, including Arve Beheim Karlsen, Benjamin Hermansen, Johanne Zhangjia Ihle-Hansen, Kåre Arvid Hesvik, Jon Erik Isachsen, and Tamima Nibras Juhar, questioning how many more lives must be lost before society takes these issues seriously. The article criticizes the tendency to dismiss such events as the acts of isolated individuals, arguing that this overlooks the systemic nature of hate.

“

How many names do you need before you stop calling these isolated incidents?

The piece further condemns the passive acceptance of extremist views, often masked by claims of free speech. Gunaratnam observes that many people choose silence over confrontation when faced with racist jokes, conspiracy theories, or dehumanizing language, either out of agreement or a desire to avoid conflict. This inaction, she asserts, allows hate to fester and become normalized. The MP concludes by stating that while grief is acceptable, it is not a substitute for action, urging a more sustained commitment to combating the underlying causes of violence and intolerance.

“

Grief is not action.