Have received death threats: – Norway is a bit rowdy
There have been several controversial relationships with Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett, especially around Verrett’s work as a shaman.
Verrett has previously claimed that part of the criticism against him comes from racism, and that people do not want a black man in the royal family.
In an exclusive interview with TV 2, he talks about how he has experienced racism in Norway, and how he believes the press is building up a false impression of him.
“Go back to Africa”
After the princess and Verrett announced that they were a couple in 2019, Verrett has visited Norway several times.
Verrett tells of a mixed reception in Norway, with both racism and death threats.
He mentions statements such as “go back to Africa, monkey”, “no one wants a black man in the royal family”, “I hope you get coronavirus and die a horrible death” and “I will shoot you on your wedding day”.
– It is not pleasant. It is not welcoming someone into your country. You just take what you read and make decisions about who I am, says Verrett to TV 2.
– You don’t know my heart and the depth of my love for people, he continues.
When asked if he thinks it’s his skin color or his controversial role as a shaman that most people react to, he says he thinks it’s both.
– Has the whole spectrum
Princess Märtha Louise says she has also received death threats because she is with Verrett, and that she has experienced racism up close.
– Do you agree that the Norwegian people do not want to see a black man in the royal family?
– I believe that as a white person I cannot decide what is racism or not, because it is systematic racism in action. If you feel that way, that’s how it is, says the princess to TV 2.
– When we have white skin, we have no idea. We don’t know what’s going on. I’ve seen the messages he gets. But I have also seen pleasant meetings on the street, so we have the whole spectrum in Norway like everywhere else, she continues.
Stopped on the street
On the other hand, Verrett talks about Norwegians who have also welcomed him.
– I was at a restaurant last night, and the whole restaurant said “oh my god, we love your podcast”, “we love your book” and “we love everything you do”, says Verrett.
He says that he talks to people on the street who say they struggle to express themselves because of the Jante law.
– They feel that the strength I show by being with Märtha, and being in this culture, gives them hope that they can have the strength to stand up against this adversity.
Criticizes the Norwegian press
Verrett believes the Norwegian press has contributed to creating a wrong impression of him in the population.
– I feel the press have taken what they want without asking me about things and getting more in depth about what I do. They take something and bring in a doctor or politician to make a case. It shows that you don’t want to know, but just create drama, says Verrett.
He says that he thinks Norway is a bit “rowdy”.
– In America, we think people are bullies when they just criticize and attack without getting to know anyone. It shows that you don’t have the ability to take the time to get to know someone, says Verrett.
– Can you understand that for many the things you say are a bit “crazy”?
– I think you think it’s “crazy”, because you don’t know spirituality. If all I understood was the medical world and I heard someone in this, I would also say “oh my god, they’re crazy”, replies Verrett.