Why Leaving the Country Isn't the Answer
Or at least not the one you think it is.
The U.S. is in a bad place.
Journalists lose access for telling the truth. Students are detained for speaking out. Judges are targeted for ruling against this administration. And migrants are treated like cattle. If you speak up for this administration, you’re a patriot. If you speak out against it, you’re a terrorist. If you rule for this administration, you’re upholding the law. If you rule against it, you’re taking the law into your own hands.
Freedom of speech is upheld so long as you don’t criticize our Dear Leader or if your voice isn’t loud enough to reach the White House. Due process is a privilege that only applies to those who enjoy this administration’s favor. The rule of law in the United State is a candle at the edge of the eye of a hurricane. We’re just lucky the hurricane doesn’t have the candle’s dropped pin—or at least not yet.
It’s no surprise people want to leave the U.S. My wife and I have talked about it. My family has talked about it. My friends have talked about it. But leaving the country may not be the solution we think it is.
Disclaimer: It may be the answer for some. I won’t judge anyone for wanting to escape incipient fascism. Some groups of people are more vulnerable than others. I don’t begrudge anyone their right to seek safety.
That said, there are too many people living in the U.S. who think escaping to Canada or Europe will solve their problems, that they can weather the storm in the sunny Mediterranean. Too many people in the U.S. don’t realize that autocracy is having a moment around the world. Many countries are banking hard to the right.
, who writes (incidentally, if you want to emigrate strategically and thoughtfully, this is the newsletter for you), recently published a post warning about moving to Spain or Portugal, countries that routinely top “places to move” lists because of their low cost of living, good weather, and good food. What many may not realize is that Spain and Portugal are increasingly hostile to foreigners, which is only exacerbated by housing crunches.My wife often talks about moving to France, having fallen in love with the country during her recent stint in an 18-month graduate program based in Paris. I don’t blame her. There’s much to recommend, but France has its own demons, including deep-seated prejudice against Muslims, Sub-Saharan African immigrants, and other groups of people.
often writes about France’s far-right movement in his newsletter, .I think too many people in the U.S.—well, many liberals at least—have a romanticized notion of Europe as this beacon of progressivism and inclusivity. Progressive politicians in the U.S. often commend Scandinavian countries for their robust social programs and high standards of living, but these countries have also experienced a rise in far-right populism in recent years.
In other words, other countries have issues too. Too many people in the U.S. assume that what we’re experiencing is unique. Don’t get me wrong, I think what’s happening in the U.S. is worrisome, with profound implications for the entire world, but we’re not special. This is a worldwide issue—an abiding nativist, anti-globalist response to migration patterns dictated by ecological disasters, humanitarian crises, and the enduring legacy of colonialism.
Thinking we’re unique is part of what got us into this mess to begin with. The notion of American exceptionalism, that we’re the “Greatest Country in the World” (by what measures, by the way?), necessarily leads us to believe we’re better than others, which of course is the foundation for racism, xenophobia, and overall prejudice. Believing fascism couldn’t possibly happen in the U.S., that we were somehow above it or immune to it, is precisely what left us vulnerable to it.
The U.S. is in a bad place. Wanting to escape a bad place is only natural. I’m not trying to stop anyone. All I’m saying is, do your homework and keep your eyes open. We’re not special, and neither are our problems.
Very balanced view. As an American in Germany, I agree. I would never shame anyone for wanting to leave and depending on your problems, an Amerexit may even
solve some. But emigrating is not a panacea or a one-size-fits-all solution. I will add that the increasing hostility towards Americans abroad is real. We have been falling from grace for awhile; since January, it’s been precipitous.
Thanks for the tag and link, but even more so, thanks for this: "Disclaimer: It may be the answer for some. I won’t judge anyone for wanting to escape incipient fascism. Some groups of people are more vulnerable than others. I don’t begrudge anyone their right to seek safety."
It's a very important caveat.
The people who I work with are extremely vulnerable in the US. As noted, I steer most people away from Europe (and northern Europe is notoriously difficult to get into regardless, unless one has a job offer).
Interestingly, I came across an article today from BBC opining that anti-immigrant sentiment from THE LEFT is dominating in Denmark. I'll be including that link in my newsletter.
Long story short - some folks should absolutely leave the US. But Europe is not the place to escape fascism at this point.