Correction: The German elections mentioned above were state elections, in Thuringia. The AfD did secure the largest share of votes in Thuringia. Björn Höcke is the leader in Thuringia, not nationally. I apologize for my error.
I would largely echo what you say here, Jennifer. I don't regret leaving the US decades ago to live in France, which in the end proved to be a generous country to me. But sometimes when I hear Americans say they want to chuck it all and live in Europe, I have to bite my tongue. (Because I'm thinking: what makes you blithely assume another country wants to take you in?) It can be the expression of a privileged attitude, divorced from the realities you describe. I'm not being dismissive in any way of the real problems and persecutions faced by Americans, either. But if you're not wealthy, if you actually have to go out and earn a living, it takes more than an attitude, or more than being deserving. It's complicated.
Thinking of you during this next round of chemo...
Agreed! Who are we to assume other countries want us? And I have to say, it can be just plain exhausting to always be living in a foreign culture sometimes. Though I am very grateful for healthcare and wish I could take advantage of the wine! Yes, it's all complicated...
Correction: The German elections mentioned above were state elections, in Thuringia. The AfD did secure the largest share of votes in Thuringia. Björn Höcke is the leader in Thuringia, not nationally. I apologize for my error.
I would largely echo what you say here, Jennifer. I don't regret leaving the US decades ago to live in France, which in the end proved to be a generous country to me. But sometimes when I hear Americans say they want to chuck it all and live in Europe, I have to bite my tongue. (Because I'm thinking: what makes you blithely assume another country wants to take you in?) It can be the expression of a privileged attitude, divorced from the realities you describe. I'm not being dismissive in any way of the real problems and persecutions faced by Americans, either. But if you're not wealthy, if you actually have to go out and earn a living, it takes more than an attitude, or more than being deserving. It's complicated.
Thinking of you during this next round of chemo...
Best,
Charles
Agreed! Who are we to assume other countries want us? And I have to say, it can be just plain exhausting to always be living in a foreign culture sometimes. Though I am very grateful for healthcare and wish I could take advantage of the wine! Yes, it's all complicated...