“Americans used to think that everyone could succeed if they just worked. Is the lie now revealed? »

Less than 2 hours ago

–

“Welcome to a country on the brink of fascism ».

That was the first thing the professor in the neighboring office said to me when I arrived in New York this winter on a research stay.

Since then, I have met many who share his pessimism. When the Supreme Court overturned the right to free abortion in June, I marched among hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in a spontaneous demonstration. It felt like it was boiling with anger and sadness over the development.

This is the second time I’m spending a semester here in New York. The last time was in 2014, and a lot has changed in the US since then.

“It’s like the lie has been revealed “, someone told me. He was referring to the Native American belief that everyone can succeed if they just work and keep going. This is the myth on which American society is founded.

–

“E pluribus unum” is written on the American coat of arms: “Of many, one”. Many states, one nation. But also: Of many individuals, one community.

Diversity is the very core, and what attracts so many of us to this country. The idea has always been that community arises as a result of diversity. What they have in common is that everyone is free to live their lives – and that everyone is responsible for how things go in life.