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 reading and commenting, Teresa. I haven't been to Germany yet, but I've noticed in several European countries that if I default to Spanish instead of English within earshot and then attempt the local language before giving into English, I'm treated better. I suspect it has to do with the reputation Americans have of being monolingual. Also, telling people I'm from New York instead of the U.S. seems to help too.
Yes, true, I am not affected personally as I have been here a long time — so long that I remember when Americans were treated like royalty (which was uncomfortable in its own way). That is no longer the case. Some of it has to do with language, but some is political. Americans used to be thought of as both powerful and decent; now it’s a crapshoot. May the odds be ever in your favor!
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.
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 reading and commenting, Teresa. I haven't been to Germany yet, but I've noticed in several European countries that if I default to Spanish instead of English within earshot and then attempt the local language before giving into English, I'm treated better. I suspect it has to do with the reputation Americans have of being monolingual. Also, telling people I'm from New York instead of the U.S. seems to help too.
Yes, true, I am not affected personally as I have been here a long time — so long that I remember when Americans were treated like royalty (which was uncomfortable in its own way). That is no longer the case. Some of it has to do with language, but some is political. Americans used to be thought of as both powerful and decent; now it’s a crapshoot. May the odds be ever in your favor!
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.
I appreciate the thoughtful comment, Elizabeth. Interesting about the anti-immigrant sentiment from the left in Denmark.
Yes, it was very surprising.