I Live in Italy, But I’m Still An American
November 9, 2016 by orvietoorbust
This post isn’t about the results of today’s US election. It’s not about Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. It’s not about conservatism vs. liberalism, right vs. left, republican vs. democrat.
It’s about how I’ve come to the shocking realization that I’ve just spent the last year of my life lulled in a Facebook cradle. I let a social media vacuum swaddle me in a gigantic ‘preaching to the choir’ sense of security. I believed everyone was exactly like me when actually I’d just surrounded myself with like-minded people. You can “unfriend” someone, but that doesn’t make them disappear.
I wasn’t paying enough attention to the other side of the aisle. I didn’t engage in any meaningful discussions with people who saw things differently than I did. That’s how I got blindsided.
I was living in a blue bubble.
The wake-up call is quite jarring, but I accept the results of the election and I continue to believe in our system of democracy. I don’t particularly like it right now, but I still believe in it.
Some soul searching is now in order.
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Posted in Americans Abroad, Expat in Italy, Living abroad, Living in Europe, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Orvieto Italy, Travel, Travel to Italy, Uncategorized | Tagged democracy, US presidential election, voting abroad | 16 Comments
Orvieto or Bust: 
Yes, we never saw this coming. I, too, failed to have those conversations when coworkers only focused on the same rhetoric against Her. I didn’t want to engage. I, too, find myself now surrounded by blind-sided folks. What will this country represent in 4 years? It’s horribly scary.
Toni.. well said and even though still in shock, intellectually we have to look at this as to Why it happened.. we did miss so much as did the Dems …unfortunately..I believe that if thte emails were not any part of the witch hunt, it may have turned out different but then again ..the woulda could shoulda will always play into this. Just glad we are here
Sent from my iPad http://www.margaretleon.com
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Gracious and well said, Toni. One of the most level-headed things I’ve heard or seen today. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom!
Thanks Pam. Don’t know about gracious, but I’m trying to look at this from a practical standpoint. What’s the point of freaking out (which I certainly did for a couple of hours)? It is what it is. Let’s make the best of it and keep our country together and forge ahead. Rome wasn’t built in a day…oh, that’s right. The Roman Empire fell…. t
So many of us were blindsided so don’t feel alone.
Oh, I don’t feel alone. I’ve got lots of people crying on my shoulder and vice versa. 😦 t
Too true Toni. Today we, through social media and the choices we make about the news we receive, insulate ourselves and hear only voices like our own. Its dangerous. Clearly, there are a lot of disaffected people in the U.S. if we can elect a person as vile as Donald Trump. So we need to understand and deal with the disaffection. Question is, are we up to it? Do we have the leadership that will address it? I’m counting on our young people.
B. It’s ironic that I shared this post on social media, but I do see how it worked to isolate me and from now on I’m going to limit my dependence on it and try to do some good old-fashion talking to people…directly. Onward. hugs.t
Yes we need serious prayer! Have delightful memories of Orvieto a couple of years ago.
We need four years to fly by… 🙂 t
Well said Toni. I’d be curious what the Italians think about it all.
Hey Tom, Well, I think they’re probably as mixed about it as America. Having said that I’d guess that most Italians understand what just happened better than most in the world: we had Berlusconi for 20 years. Boh. t
Beautifully written, Toni. I have to say that you’re more evolved than I am (at least for today….?)——I’m nearly non-functional. I just can’t wrap my head around this. I have a multitude of fears for the future as a result of this overwhelming display of anger and frustration—–culminating in the election of a misogynistic, divisive moron. So many things our country has gained, we’re in jeopardy of losing to a party that does not value women or diversity. I’m devastated!!
Oh Sharyn, Don’t get me wrong. I feel like someone has kicked me in the stomach. I am devistated, but I dug down really deep trying to make sense of this vote. I couldn’t, but I can self-reflect on what it was that made it seem so improbable to me that this could happen? I don’t want to make the same mistake again. I was living in a bissful, alternative reality. Michael Moore got it right and we should have listened to him. Now we as a country must move forward. hugs. Be well and hang in there. t
There is a definite echo chamber in social media, especially among young people who have only been following politics for the past 8-10 years and have heard/seen nothing but what they themselves believe. That’s the down side of social media. I think lots of,us are in your “boat.” We have had a wake up call to listen to the folks who aren’t ON social media!
Toni,
I’m truly sorry that so many have significant fears of the President-elect, but actually, those same fears were expressed by some of the people when Ronald Reagan was elected. The facts of life are that the base that put President Obama into office twice, just did not show up for Hillary. The blue collar states that have stuck with the democratic party thru thick and thin, lost faith. On TV tonight they said of the 123 people arrested in Portland, OR. for rioting, only 25 voted at all. It’s certainly a most interesting time to be alive. Also please note, I’ve called no one derogatory names.
Toni, we love your posts as well as your beautiful hilltown.
Roger