I've spent most of my life as a patriot, and to this day I believe that a lot of anti-Americanism was just a masked envy and hatred of success. When I was living in Brazil for 8 years, I quickly pined for someplace where you didn't need to know someone to get a job, where it wasn't seen as invasive or pushy to not sit in endless meetings before anything could get done, where my qualifications (Brown, Georgetown, MIT) were automatically labelled as a threat, where it was more "oh you know how to do this? Ok let's get started." However, I think America has become more like this in the past 5 years or so - soft, oversensitive, complacent, more interested in feelings than truth. Compared to many countries America is objectively more awesome, due to a mix of strong laws, a free economy, and a culture that does not hold your birth against you, at least on paper. The last part I imagine you feel accutely given your background. But we gotta turn it around.
I wrote something similar yesterday. The Immigrants who grew up without freedom appreciate America more than many who take it for granted. To paraphrase David Foster Wallace, we don’t have to ask “what’s water” I called it Immigrant’s Love letter to America, too:)
(Can’t link it here, but it’s on my profile. Similar sentiment!)
👏👏👏 A raw, seeringly honest but also beautiful and heartfelt letter to your adopted country, Liza! We are all so blessed to live in this amazing land of liberty with all its flaws! It is clear that you a third culture kid and a Jewish immigrant are more patriotic than all these spoiled brat college kids and Antifa freaks on the left and all these isolationist, antisemitic conspiracy theorists who blame Israel for everything on the right. You embody the American Dream and are sincerely greatful for all America had given you! We need more Americans like you! Happy 250th birthday to the greatest country on the face of the planet! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🎇🎆🥳🎂🎉
Why does it seem that whenever the subject of American genius comes up, whether artisic, philosophical, scientific, economic or political, the prime candidates seem invariably to be Russian, Jewish, immigrants? Is it just a coincidence, for example, that the composer of White Christmas, Easter Parade and God Bless America just happens to be all three? I think not!
Many Americans have been spoiled by the comforts given them by their parents that made them think they could easily get away with not having to work too hard to get anything. So many people want a quick fix to quickly gain whatever they feel they deserve and won't ever get except through a highly incompetent alternate political system that has always made life miserable for all but a few corrupt leaders. Whatever is wrong with America needs to be comprehensively sorted out and "turned around" as Bennett Bullock writes. This letter emphasizes how today on its 250th Birthday, America still exists and will continue to exist for many more birthdays as most of us hope it will.
Over and over again, your writing brought me to tears. I'm not even American. But, regrettably, I have observed and contributed to the demoralisation of America. Good on you for setting the record straight! 🇺🇸🤠
Thank you, Liza, for your honest, charming, and totally wonderful essay. Just one point that you might want to reconsider: do you really think it's possible for your gratitude to be inordinate?
I love America (like most every immigrant I've known). I'm proud to be an American. A long time ago, I swore an oath to the Constitution.
But I think we need to make changes. We cannot govern normally when >30% of the voting citizenry is committed to resistance, subversion, or dismantling. This isn't even a judgment - merely a recognition that republics require some shared values and democratic sincerity to operate.
The good news is that we can remain one nation and become even more free and diverse. I actually think that such an outcome (a radically decentralized federalism) would be more in keeping with the vision of our Founders.
Bravo. You have tapped into a deep hurt I feel for America and what seems to me an incredible lack of gratitude on the part of many Americans. The envy is real, and it is chipping away at the very idea of America. But it's the lack of gratitude among most anti-American activists that I fear. America never promised to hand success to people. It only promised "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." In short, it promised--and still does--the freedom to reach for one's idea of success, purpose, or self-actualization. Liza, you are a voice crying in the wilderness, and I believe your voice is growing louder and stronger. Thank you.
I, my kids, and their kids are all beneficiaries of my paternal and maternal grandparents' flight from pogroms and conscription in Belarus to Canada and the USA. I share your gratitude (one of the most lovely and noble sentiments of which we are capable), but also am alarmed at the overall trajectory I see the culture taking, which, according to writer Hilary Layne, was charted with uncanny prescience by Chesterton in his dystopia, "The Napoleon of Notting Hill," which I now must read.
I've spent most of my life as a patriot, and to this day I believe that a lot of anti-Americanism was just a masked envy and hatred of success. When I was living in Brazil for 8 years, I quickly pined for someplace where you didn't need to know someone to get a job, where it wasn't seen as invasive or pushy to not sit in endless meetings before anything could get done, where my qualifications (Brown, Georgetown, MIT) were automatically labelled as a threat, where it was more "oh you know how to do this? Ok let's get started." However, I think America has become more like this in the past 5 years or so - soft, oversensitive, complacent, more interested in feelings than truth. Compared to many countries America is objectively more awesome, due to a mix of strong laws, a free economy, and a culture that does not hold your birth against you, at least on paper. The last part I imagine you feel accutely given your background. But we gotta turn it around.
I wrote something similar yesterday. The Immigrants who grew up without freedom appreciate America more than many who take it for granted. To paraphrase David Foster Wallace, we don’t have to ask “what’s water” I called it Immigrant’s Love letter to America, too:)
(Can’t link it here, but it’s on my profile. Similar sentiment!)
Thank you Liza! Damnit, now I have to pay for another newsletter subscription. Yours will be well worth it.
🥹❤️
Ditto. Dammit.
Your parents must be awfully proud of you!
Thank you for this love letter that has added a lot to my own celebrations of the day ❤️
👏👏👏 A raw, seeringly honest but also beautiful and heartfelt letter to your adopted country, Liza! We are all so blessed to live in this amazing land of liberty with all its flaws! It is clear that you a third culture kid and a Jewish immigrant are more patriotic than all these spoiled brat college kids and Antifa freaks on the left and all these isolationist, antisemitic conspiracy theorists who blame Israel for everything on the right. You embody the American Dream and are sincerely greatful for all America had given you! We need more Americans like you! Happy 250th birthday to the greatest country on the face of the planet! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🎇🎆🥳🎂🎉
That was beautiful. Happy 4th!
Happy to have you and yours as fellow letter writing Americans. https://expatriarch.substack.com/p/to-my-beloved-country-on-her-birthday
Wonderful reflection, Ms. Libes. Thank you for it!
Why does it seem that whenever the subject of American genius comes up, whether artisic, philosophical, scientific, economic or political, the prime candidates seem invariably to be Russian, Jewish, immigrants? Is it just a coincidence, for example, that the composer of White Christmas, Easter Parade and God Bless America just happens to be all three? I think not!
Thanks so much for the terrific piece!
Many Americans have been spoiled by the comforts given them by their parents that made them think they could easily get away with not having to work too hard to get anything. So many people want a quick fix to quickly gain whatever they feel they deserve and won't ever get except through a highly incompetent alternate political system that has always made life miserable for all but a few corrupt leaders. Whatever is wrong with America needs to be comprehensively sorted out and "turned around" as Bennett Bullock writes. This letter emphasizes how today on its 250th Birthday, America still exists and will continue to exist for many more birthdays as most of us hope it will.
Over and over again, your writing brought me to tears. I'm not even American. But, regrettably, I have observed and contributed to the demoralisation of America. Good on you for setting the record straight! 🇺🇸🤠
Thank you, Liza, for your honest, charming, and totally wonderful essay. Just one point that you might want to reconsider: do you really think it's possible for your gratitude to be inordinate?
I love America (like most every immigrant I've known). I'm proud to be an American. A long time ago, I swore an oath to the Constitution.
But I think we need to make changes. We cannot govern normally when >30% of the voting citizenry is committed to resistance, subversion, or dismantling. This isn't even a judgment - merely a recognition that republics require some shared values and democratic sincerity to operate.
The good news is that we can remain one nation and become even more free and diverse. I actually think that such an outcome (a radically decentralized federalism) would be more in keeping with the vision of our Founders.
https://jmpolemic.substack.com/p/a-declaration-of-independence
Bravo. You have tapped into a deep hurt I feel for America and what seems to me an incredible lack of gratitude on the part of many Americans. The envy is real, and it is chipping away at the very idea of America. But it's the lack of gratitude among most anti-American activists that I fear. America never promised to hand success to people. It only promised "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." In short, it promised--and still does--the freedom to reach for one's idea of success, purpose, or self-actualization. Liza, you are a voice crying in the wilderness, and I believe your voice is growing louder and stronger. Thank you.
I, my kids, and their kids are all beneficiaries of my paternal and maternal grandparents' flight from pogroms and conscription in Belarus to Canada and the USA. I share your gratitude (one of the most lovely and noble sentiments of which we are capable), but also am alarmed at the overall trajectory I see the culture taking, which, according to writer Hilary Layne, was charted with uncanny prescience by Chesterton in his dystopia, "The Napoleon of Notting Hill," which I now must read.
(See her excellent commentary here:
https://youtu.be/GfUjYMKUOJY?is=kaQkve8KKRljSAY_
All the best!
- Bernie Meyer
What is one American thing you'd like to share to Azerbaijan and/or Europe? And one Azeri and/or European thing you want more Americans to appreciate?