A View from Another Country

This morning I was sitting on a bus when two very articulate students got on and sat somewhere behind me. They were on their way to their university campus. Being only three of us on the top deck of the bus, it was easy to hear their conversation. And it was rather sad.

"Would you go to the USA at the moment?" one asked. His friend replied, "I don't think it will be safe to go there in my lifetime. That ICE is arresting grannies when they arrive, so what would they do to a boy with brown skin?"

Without debating the veracity of his claim about who is being arrested on arrival, it was a very small window into the opinion of young people I wouldn't normally get to speak to. I can remember a time when young people couldn't wait to go and try out the States for at least a holiday if not some work experience. How times have changed.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

I agree. This is the overwhelming view of people outside of the US. There are simply more attractive places to go in terms of personal freedom and security than America at this time. Its not the regular American people so much. You cant trust the authorities to act within the law.😷

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@whowasthatmaskedman That's an important point. We used to smile at the amount of use US citizens used of the Law, but now that the 'might is right' mantra is apparently in control, no one can be safe from harm at the hands of the authorities.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@FreddieUK Exactly. And once it is in their hands, they wont let it go without a fight. Any more than the rich will let go of their money without a fight. Its just a question of which side the Americans with the guns will come down on and how long it will take..😷