I appreciate this. Immensely. For reminding others to be wary of when and how they apply the Oppressor/privilege label. And for the illustration of what work ethic and resourcefulness look like. After 35 years in public schools, I see ever increasing need for your reminders.
What we need to remember on this holiday. Fascinated by the whole story about your father's journey. The nugget about his imported confidence about his bike being kept safe made me smile.
Great post. Having to work for something doesn’t mean it’s unobtainable, it proves the reverse! Where did the idea come from that it’s a deliverable at birth? Those who subscribe to that idea are the lazy people who stay at home on voting day and allow the Trumps of this time run roughshod over them.
I remember reading this article when it first came out well, Liza. It couldn’t be more fitting today! The United States has many flaws no doubt about and much work remains ahead of us to stitch the torn fabric of our union back together. Nonetheless, this is the greatest country in the world and one of the best places on Earth to live! America in the beginning was a bold and unprecedented experiment in government-a republic where the people elect their leaders and make their own decisions NOT a king or an emperor! Our founding fathers risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to help America gains its independence. If caught, they could’ve been hung as traitors to the British crown. A few of them actually were. Some lost everything they owned, died penniless, lost their wives and children, died in battle, or were held in dark, dirty and dangerous British POW camps. But they did it because they believed so strongly in the ideals they fought for.
I’d also like to take this moment to salute the common folk, African-Americans, women, Native Americans, foreign volunteers, and immigrants who contributed to our countries’ struggle for independence and our French, Spanish and Dutch allies for their assistance in doing so. A ragtag group of farmers, shopkeepers, artisans, bakers, cobblers, sailors, blacksmiths, slaves, and Native American allies defeated one of the greatest empires the world has ever known and brought our beautiful nation into the world! They were led by a Virginia planter who cut an imposing figure named George Washington. After the war ended and America was born, he proved to be just the leader we needed to get the young nation off on the right foot. He left office after two terms. Not becoming a king or dictator as past generals who led successful revolutions had done. The world took note of this incredible display of humility and patriotism. Washington put country before self.
Please ignore one commenter’s rude and disrespectful comment where she sarcastically refers to your article as “interesting.” She claims America has never lived up to its ideals. I would disagree, I think America has always strived to build a more perfect union. She clearly didn’t bother to read your article or listen to anything you had to say in it. America has many dark chapters in its past no doubt. But many great and inspirational ones too like enshrining freedom of speech in the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the abolition of slavery in 1865, women being given the vote in 1920, the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights of 1965, the United States defeating the Nazis in WWII, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the Berlin Airlift, the Marshall Plan, the U.S. driving Ba’athist Iraq out of Kuwait in 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage in 2015 among many other things.
Today should also NOT be used to play partisan politics and dunk on President Trump as a another commenter did. That is totally inappropriate on today of all days to do. Liza’s article here is downright inspirational and an amazing story of immigrant success. America opened its doors to Liza’s family who was persecuted behind the Iron Curtain for their religion and ethnicity. They came to America worked hard and made a great life for themselves! They are one of millions of immigrant success stories! The American Dream is very much alive and well! We need to teach our children a balanced history of the United States: warts and all. Not that it is an evil, imperialistic h***scape that goes around oppressing minority groups and people in other countries. We should teach our children that America is a flawed but great nation and one of the least racist, most inclusive countries in the world where everyone has equal rights and equal opportunities. We have freedoms and rights that people in other countries like Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Guatemala, Somalia, Tajikistan, or Gaza, can only dream of. God Bless America this blessed 4th of July morning! 🇺🇸🫡
I very much appreciate your detailed response to the poorly considered comment. It seems to me that few people have the ability to observe and analyze a topic as big as America, its past, present and future. It’s healthier to celebrate the success of Liza’s father—success on his own terms—than to rehearse a well-worn tale of woe and conclude that the personal struggle condemns the entire country.
That was really moving to read about your parents. There's a lot of very admirable humility shown in your father to have the kind of education and skills he had and then come to the U.S. a start with such humble work here.
And I love that you are able to express such gratitude for your parents. Thank you for writing.
A person should never be put in jail for dreaming or working hard or for being themselves. A person should never be attacked in any way for being themselves or being different. And a political philosophy like democracy should never be attacked for allowing people to follow their dreams and be given the chance to live their dreams when Socialism encourages fever dream false paradise of self abnegation, incompetence, misery and mob rule of those who can't over those who can.
College students are taught that they can never be themselves because the oppressor bourgeois capitalist boogieman philosophy will always somehow prevent them from being successful so why should they ever dream? Why should they even try to do anything when they will always end up with nothing? Students are being scammed because there is definitely a political philosophy that is inviting them to embrace being victimized and forever beholden to few thoroughly corrupt socialist political leaders.
Am so glad we still celebrate 4th of July! Happy 4th of July!
Very inspiring, Liza! And like my Italian grandmother always used to say: Mazel Tov!
A gay friend of mine told me yesterday he's going to celebrate No Kings day instead of the fourth. What is going on? There is so much hysteria in this country right now. Calm down. It's not that bad. And I'm gay myself, and you couldn't find a prouder American anywhere. Happy Fourth of July!
Such an inspiring piece! My family faced similar experiences—refugees from Lithuania during the world wars and Soviet oppression. I love that you have developed such a strong outlook on what it means to live in this world :)
You are entitled to your opinion, Groaning Titan but you are 100% wrong. The USA is a very flawed country no doubt about it and there are to be sure some ways in which the EU is ahead of us. But the USA is a great country and the American Dream is far from dead. It is also in VERY poor taste to use this day to dunk on Donald Trump and his supporters. This is still the land of the free and the land of opportunity as a disabled person and someone with mental health issues who graduated college Summa Cum Laude, found a job I love and am able to make a living off and live a middle class lifestyle I should know. It wasn’t easy and I faced discrimination and prejudice but I took what opportunities America so graciously gave me and made the most of them. I could not do that as a person with a disability in most of the world. I’m blessed to live in America! 🇺🇸
It wasn't easy and you faced discrimination? That is kind of the whole point - had you been in any developed country outside the USA, it would have been easier, you would have faced less prejudice, and you would have had more opportunities. Social mobility indexes say so, year after year. You would also have got better healthcare...
Of course it exists all over the world. Most -isms do. What matters is the degree. Actual real world data such as Way Foundation ranks the USA very low in terms of accommodating disabilities, not even in the top ten. Move next door to Canada - they are consistently in the top three.
Similarly, actual real world data shows that US healthcare is very poor in terms of outcomes, ranging from last to nearly last depending on who is doing the reporting, but none sat "generally excellent". The only thing US healthcare excels at is being the most expensive on the planet as per percentage of GDP. You are literally paying a premium price for a substandard service.
You are right but then so is the opposite opinion. You absolutely can get ahead through talent and hard work. But failure doesn’t mean you are a ‘loser’ or have not worked hard enough. You absolutely should be rewarded for hard work and talent. But then working hard without much talent shouldn’t mean a life of poverty. Doing an average job well should surely be enough for an ok life, somewhere decent to live, a reasonably health service, etc. Its literally a contradiction to think everyone can be successful- like saying everyone can be above average.
I tend to see this kind of anti-patriotism as an artifact of privilege, and a reflection of a deep immaturity. The fact that mot believers tend to be the safest, wealthiest, most privileged people in our society only increases my disdain.
I appreciate this. Immensely. For reminding others to be wary of when and how they apply the Oppressor/privilege label. And for the illustration of what work ethic and resourcefulness look like. After 35 years in public schools, I see ever increasing need for your reminders.
What we need to remember on this holiday. Fascinated by the whole story about your father's journey. The nugget about his imported confidence about his bike being kept safe made me smile.
Happy 4th!
Great reflection, Ms. Libes. Appreciate it today, the 4th.
Thank you for telling us your story, Liza. I would not have guessed much, if any, of this about you. And happy No Kings Day! 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
Great post. Having to work for something doesn’t mean it’s unobtainable, it proves the reverse! Where did the idea come from that it’s a deliverable at birth? Those who subscribe to that idea are the lazy people who stay at home on voting day and allow the Trumps of this time run roughshod over them.
I remember reading this article when it first came out well, Liza. It couldn’t be more fitting today! The United States has many flaws no doubt about and much work remains ahead of us to stitch the torn fabric of our union back together. Nonetheless, this is the greatest country in the world and one of the best places on Earth to live! America in the beginning was a bold and unprecedented experiment in government-a republic where the people elect their leaders and make their own decisions NOT a king or an emperor! Our founding fathers risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to help America gains its independence. If caught, they could’ve been hung as traitors to the British crown. A few of them actually were. Some lost everything they owned, died penniless, lost their wives and children, died in battle, or were held in dark, dirty and dangerous British POW camps. But they did it because they believed so strongly in the ideals they fought for.
I’d also like to take this moment to salute the common folk, African-Americans, women, Native Americans, foreign volunteers, and immigrants who contributed to our countries’ struggle for independence and our French, Spanish and Dutch allies for their assistance in doing so. A ragtag group of farmers, shopkeepers, artisans, bakers, cobblers, sailors, blacksmiths, slaves, and Native American allies defeated one of the greatest empires the world has ever known and brought our beautiful nation into the world! They were led by a Virginia planter who cut an imposing figure named George Washington. After the war ended and America was born, he proved to be just the leader we needed to get the young nation off on the right foot. He left office after two terms. Not becoming a king or dictator as past generals who led successful revolutions had done. The world took note of this incredible display of humility and patriotism. Washington put country before self.
Please ignore one commenter’s rude and disrespectful comment where she sarcastically refers to your article as “interesting.” She claims America has never lived up to its ideals. I would disagree, I think America has always strived to build a more perfect union. She clearly didn’t bother to read your article or listen to anything you had to say in it. America has many dark chapters in its past no doubt. But many great and inspirational ones too like enshrining freedom of speech in the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the abolition of slavery in 1865, women being given the vote in 1920, the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights of 1965, the United States defeating the Nazis in WWII, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the Berlin Airlift, the Marshall Plan, the U.S. driving Ba’athist Iraq out of Kuwait in 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage in 2015 among many other things.
Today should also NOT be used to play partisan politics and dunk on President Trump as a another commenter did. That is totally inappropriate on today of all days to do. Liza’s article here is downright inspirational and an amazing story of immigrant success. America opened its doors to Liza’s family who was persecuted behind the Iron Curtain for their religion and ethnicity. They came to America worked hard and made a great life for themselves! They are one of millions of immigrant success stories! The American Dream is very much alive and well! We need to teach our children a balanced history of the United States: warts and all. Not that it is an evil, imperialistic h***scape that goes around oppressing minority groups and people in other countries. We should teach our children that America is a flawed but great nation and one of the least racist, most inclusive countries in the world where everyone has equal rights and equal opportunities. We have freedoms and rights that people in other countries like Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Guatemala, Somalia, Tajikistan, or Gaza, can only dream of. God Bless America this blessed 4th of July morning! 🇺🇸🫡
Thank you. This is the accurate perspective that we need more of.
I very much appreciate your detailed response to the poorly considered comment. It seems to me that few people have the ability to observe and analyze a topic as big as America, its past, present and future. It’s healthier to celebrate the success of Liza’s father—success on his own terms—than to rehearse a well-worn tale of woe and conclude that the personal struggle condemns the entire country.
That was really moving to read about your parents. There's a lot of very admirable humility shown in your father to have the kind of education and skills he had and then come to the U.S. a start with such humble work here.
And I love that you are able to express such gratitude for your parents. Thank you for writing.
A person should never be put in jail for dreaming or working hard or for being themselves. A person should never be attacked in any way for being themselves or being different. And a political philosophy like democracy should never be attacked for allowing people to follow their dreams and be given the chance to live their dreams when Socialism encourages fever dream false paradise of self abnegation, incompetence, misery and mob rule of those who can't over those who can.
College students are taught that they can never be themselves because the oppressor bourgeois capitalist boogieman philosophy will always somehow prevent them from being successful so why should they ever dream? Why should they even try to do anything when they will always end up with nothing? Students are being scammed because there is definitely a political philosophy that is inviting them to embrace being victimized and forever beholden to few thoroughly corrupt socialist political leaders.
Am so glad we still celebrate 4th of July! Happy 4th of July!
Very inspiring, Liza! And like my Italian grandmother always used to say: Mazel Tov!
A gay friend of mine told me yesterday he's going to celebrate No Kings day instead of the fourth. What is going on? There is so much hysteria in this country right now. Calm down. It's not that bad. And I'm gay myself, and you couldn't find a prouder American anywhere. Happy Fourth of July!
Great piece!
Hear, hear!
Such an inspiring piece! My family faced similar experiences—refugees from Lithuania during the world wars and Soviet oppression. I love that you have developed such a strong outlook on what it means to live in this world :)
As an outsider looking in, the American Dream is not just dead. It has been hung, drawn, quartered and fed to rabid MAGA dogs.
The USA is no longer the land of the free or the land of opportunity. Look at the data - the EU is way ahead on both of those.
You are entitled to your opinion, Groaning Titan but you are 100% wrong. The USA is a very flawed country no doubt about it and there are to be sure some ways in which the EU is ahead of us. But the USA is a great country and the American Dream is far from dead. It is also in VERY poor taste to use this day to dunk on Donald Trump and his supporters. This is still the land of the free and the land of opportunity as a disabled person and someone with mental health issues who graduated college Summa Cum Laude, found a job I love and am able to make a living off and live a middle class lifestyle I should know. It wasn’t easy and I faced discrimination and prejudice but I took what opportunities America so graciously gave me and made the most of them. I could not do that as a person with a disability in most of the world. I’m blessed to live in America! 🇺🇸
It wasn't easy and you faced discrimination? That is kind of the whole point - had you been in any developed country outside the USA, it would have been easier, you would have faced less prejudice, and you would have had more opportunities. Social mobility indexes say so, year after year. You would also have got better healthcare...
Of course it exists all over the world. Most -isms do. What matters is the degree. Actual real world data such as Way Foundation ranks the USA very low in terms of accommodating disabilities, not even in the top ten. Move next door to Canada - they are consistently in the top three.
Similarly, actual real world data shows that US healthcare is very poor in terms of outcomes, ranging from last to nearly last depending on who is doing the reporting, but none sat "generally excellent". The only thing US healthcare excels at is being the most expensive on the planet as per percentage of GDP. You are literally paying a premium price for a substandard service.
And that’s why you are an outsider and always will be. We don’t want you. As two patriots always said, “America! Fuck yeah!”
Wow. Thanks for sharing your family story...and for being a voice of sanity to remind us that life here ain't all that bad.
You are right but then so is the opposite opinion. You absolutely can get ahead through talent and hard work. But failure doesn’t mean you are a ‘loser’ or have not worked hard enough. You absolutely should be rewarded for hard work and talent. But then working hard without much talent shouldn’t mean a life of poverty. Doing an average job well should surely be enough for an ok life, somewhere decent to live, a reasonably health service, etc. Its literally a contradiction to think everyone can be successful- like saying everyone can be above average.
I tend to see this kind of anti-patriotism as an artifact of privilege, and a reflection of a deep immaturity. The fact that mot believers tend to be the safest, wealthiest, most privileged people in our society only increases my disdain.
https://jmpolemic.substack.com/p/surveying-the-anti-patriotic-party