Hanne Nabintu Herland, who specializes in religious history, told newspaper VG on Tuesday that Norwegian society has developed into "a rock-hard segregated society, where people are evaluated in terms of ethnicity, not competence."
Herland, who grew up in Africa and says she often feels like an immigrant herself, has a master's degree in cultural studies and has worked with ethnic minorities in Norway for many years.
"To criticize the foreigners is like criticizing the symptoms and not the problem," she claims, while accusing earlier generations of social workers of "waiting at the airport and doling out social services available for asylum seekers and immigrants," instead of immediately sending them to Norwegian classes and instilling in them a sense of opportunity for those who work for it.
"Lots of people have interpreted this as an invitation not to work," she said. "Many have viewed Norway as a country where the state pays your monthly salary and where housing is provided."
Herland claims Norwegians "automatically feel sorry for people with dark skin. We put them on welfare, instead of putting them to work."
In her book Ny sjanse (New Chance), published through Norway's Conservative Party (Høyre), Herland claims many immigrants are bitter towards the Norwegian system because it's kept them out of the job market by being "too kind" with welfare.
'Old-fashioned'
Not true, counter some leaders of immigrant groups, who say Herland's criticism is coming 15 years too late.
"This is a very old-fashioned view," said Elvis Chi Nwosu, leader of the group African Cultural Awareness in Norway. He claims Herland is overlooking developments of the past several years, including required Norwegian classes for immigrants and cuts in social benefits for minority groups.
He also claimed that most immigrants in Norway now "live solidly and contribute solidly" to Norwegian society.
Fazal Hussain of the Pakistani group Pakistansk Velferdsorganisasjon also took issue with Herland's views.
"It's not correct that Norway is a segregated society," he said. "Norway is open and free, with opportunities all around.
"It's up to the individual as to how good they are at using those opportunities."
