ABSTRACT
The chapter examines the anthropologist Marianne Gullestad’s (1946–2008) concept of “imagined sameness”, describing how the majority of Norwegians “must consider themselves as more or less the same in order to feel of equal value”, thus tracing the connections between egalitarian cultural themes and a racially coded majority nationalism. Sameness is created, rather than simply found, via a style of interaction that focuses on what is similar between the parties in the conversation. The imaginary construal of the other as essentially similar to oneself consists both in seeking out harmony and agreement and in avoiding others who are seen as being “too different” to maintain the illusion. “Imagined sameness” and collective narcissism is exemplified using a famous photograph of the late King Olav taking the tram (1973), and the philosopher Gunnar Skirbekk’s book on Norwegian national identity (2010). It goes on to examine a more extreme form of narcissism, self-construction, and identity confusion in the case of the Norwegian terrorist and self-appointed crusader Anders Behring Breivik. The author argues that the perpetrator’s propaganda material is characterised by a high degree of continuity with earlier anti-Semitic and racist propaganda and by very explicit sexualisation. Sexism and racism are intertwined in the 40material, and the hated, feared, and denigrated other is simultaneously of great sexual interest. The final section of the chapter points to the contiguity between the more extreme statements of xenophobia and Islamophobia and recent statements made in the mainstream media. The voices of those who defend a revived nationalism and xenophobic attacks against “others”, Muslims, Roma, refugees, and immigrants in particular, have become the more dominant ones. Thus, the chapter ends by emphasising the responsibility of the general population for undertaking renewed reflection on how “we” see ourselves, and on whom “we” may include, a willingness to listen to and sustain such a painful enquiry.
