What I Learned About America, And Myself, From My Medium Comments
It’s complicated
What would I do without my readers? They brought me so much frustration and joy over the past two years on Medium that I feel like embracing them all in one big virtual hug.
Most comments I have received were positive and informative, but some were less enthusiastic, and others left me wondering: why bother commenting at all?
Here are a few things I learned from responses to my Medium stories.
1. I shouldn’t say “America”
First of all, it’s the United States of America, the U.S., or the States. It turns out that saying “America” upsets some people.
2. America is the best country in the world
Sorry, the United States of America. Whatever you call it, it’s much better than “socialist Europe.”
3. If one doesn’t like anything about America, one should leave
The U.S., it seems, is not very good at taking feedback. This one might just be what’s wrong with our country: telling critics to leave is hardly solving the problem.
4. Hence, we should leave America
The verdict is in: I should leave the U.S. Now, can I have some money and a UK visa, please?
5. Socialism is bad
Free healthcare is basically socialism. And socialism is bad. Don’t I know about Venezuela?
6. Communism is very bad
Socialism is one step away from communism — the ultimate enemy of the U.S.
7. People in Denmark pay 70% of their salaries to taxes
They don’t. My husband paid 40%. In return, he enjoyed more (free) benefits than Americans will ever see if their lifetime.
8. My Danish husband is annoying
How dare he point out the (obvious) inadequacies of “the best country in the world?” He’s just a socialist.
9. You can’t compare America to any other country because it’s bigger
The U.S. is much bigger than Denmark, and all of Europe, so we can’t possibly have a people-centered government and free healthcare.
10. I can’t say anything at all about America because things are totally different in Alabama
The U.S. is so big and diverse that I can’t possibly judge it by the fifty or so places I visited or lived in. How can I, for example, say we’re not a collective-good-based society if someone in rural Alabama might have a different experience?
11. All my problems exist because we live in California
I wrote a separate piece on how all my problems, apparently, can be solved by just leaving California.
12. Things would improve drastically if we moved to the countryside
I even had a dream last night about visiting one of such places recommended to me by a reader. I might just consider it.
13. The same bread that costs $8 in LA is $2.50 in Tennessee
I wrote in one of my pieces about a store in LA selling Dave’s Bread for eight dollars. Only to find out from my reader it’s two-fifty in Tennessee.
14. I have white privilege
I was told that I shouldn’t complain about bread prices since I have white privilege. Fair enough. But someone should still complain.
15. And, of course, I’m a racist
No real reason given, just some angry rambling about privileged white people.
I didn’t realize just how complicated America, and writing about it, could be until I (accidentally) started my column on Medium.
To my loyal supporters, I say thank you for your time from all my heart.
To my haters, I say: thank you for the money I make every time you read my work.
