We have our own finger pointing demagogue here in Portugal - I will not give him any kind of air time, as sound does not travel in a vacuum.
Seems everyone still buys into punching down, whenever someone tries to pin the tail on the donkey, where the tail is global economic crisis and the donkey is always immigrants. Not the rise in the unchecked power of corrupt politicians, their billionaires friends and money hungry corporations. No. It's your Uber driver who is running things into the ground.
Prices are high? Blame it on immigrants. But not all immigrants of course. Those who cook our meals, clean our houses and work in constructing our cities and economies.
We have a huge and unbearable increase in living costs (housing - especially in Lisbon, but also food and energy) and people look for the root of the issue and point to those who have less, which blows my mind.
But not the gold visas. Not the investment groups that buy up in bulk city housing and horde it for the next big luxury development, spiking the price for square meter.
There are studies that report on the social security budget distribution and the amount awarded to these immigrant communities is a drop in the ocean. But still, in every country and culture we see this finger pointing, with not much to back it. We, as humans, prefer to look at things as simple problems with simple solutions.
We are now fully grounded in an age where the opinions are more important than facts. People look for reinforcement of their bias. The dehumanization of people based on their appearance, origins, economic or religion.
How long it takes us to learn from them and how soon we forget our past mistakes
Sorry for the rant and thank you for making me feel not crazy in thinking how sometimes this world scares the hell out of me.
Oriana, thank you very much for taking the time to write this. It's good to know there are others with whom we can try to feel "not crazy" in these very weird times.
Thank you so much for putting this into words and sharing, as it helps us feel not as alone as we are made to feel at times. The us vs them and here vs there is what we all need to work on dismantling within our own little spheres of influence. More kindness, more intentional connection, more community building IRL rather than just online, and more speaking up and advocating for those who don't have the freedom and privilege to do so, no matter how far they are geographically or how different they are from us. And more discussions such as these.
The 'them vs us' rhetoric has been one of the system's greatest weapons and one of the oldest - divide and conquer. While we studied history at an early stage, it is sad and scary how these learnings and signs that should be so very obvious are still lost on so many.
I couldn’t agree more. You could have written exactly this about the current United States. It’s all so appalling and terrifying. Trump and his cronies give it all an added zest of sordid, stupid, disgusting, and pathetic. Prophet Song almost killed me; one of two books (The Road being the other) I am of course glad I’ve read, while simultaneously wishing I hadn’t. They’ll haunt me for life. Desperately trying to maintain a positive outlook, vote at every opportunity, including with my money, and ardently hoping that November really does bring the blue wave that’s so anticipated. Not that the Democrats are perfect by any means, but something must be done to bring this right wing crap under control.
I so wish I couldn't relate, but after living in that space for a decade now, so your fears are all to familiar. Irrational as it seems, I'm still holding hope for the UK. Solidarity.
We have our own finger pointing demagogue here in Portugal - I will not give him any kind of air time, as sound does not travel in a vacuum.
Seems everyone still buys into punching down, whenever someone tries to pin the tail on the donkey, where the tail is global economic crisis and the donkey is always immigrants. Not the rise in the unchecked power of corrupt politicians, their billionaires friends and money hungry corporations. No. It's your Uber driver who is running things into the ground.
Prices are high? Blame it on immigrants. But not all immigrants of course. Those who cook our meals, clean our houses and work in constructing our cities and economies.
We have a huge and unbearable increase in living costs (housing - especially in Lisbon, but also food and energy) and people look for the root of the issue and point to those who have less, which blows my mind.
But not the gold visas. Not the investment groups that buy up in bulk city housing and horde it for the next big luxury development, spiking the price for square meter.
There are studies that report on the social security budget distribution and the amount awarded to these immigrant communities is a drop in the ocean. But still, in every country and culture we see this finger pointing, with not much to back it. We, as humans, prefer to look at things as simple problems with simple solutions.
We are now fully grounded in an age where the opinions are more important than facts. People look for reinforcement of their bias. The dehumanization of people based on their appearance, origins, economic or religion.
How long it takes us to learn from them and how soon we forget our past mistakes
Sorry for the rant and thank you for making me feel not crazy in thinking how sometimes this world scares the hell out of me.
Oriana, thank you very much for taking the time to write this. It's good to know there are others with whom we can try to feel "not crazy" in these very weird times.
Thank you for this. Warmest best wishes from the US where I feel the same fear.
Thank you so much for reading. Yes, I've often thought of the USA in relation to these worries.
I honestly haven’t related to a post on the internet more in my life. The feeling of foreboding is real but we must stay positive. Take care.
Gosh -- I'm very touched by your words. And yes, we have to keep hope alive.
Oh god , I really hope that things will turn out right and all of this is just like dark clouds passing by..but I can understand you perfectly.
...after reading your text I have to revisit some of my reassuring scents now like Mitsouko , Like this, No 5 and Nahema 🫥
Yes -- we need all the reminders we can get of the uplifting, edifying power of beauty.
Thank you so much for putting this into words and sharing, as it helps us feel not as alone as we are made to feel at times. The us vs them and here vs there is what we all need to work on dismantling within our own little spheres of influence. More kindness, more intentional connection, more community building IRL rather than just online, and more speaking up and advocating for those who don't have the freedom and privilege to do so, no matter how far they are geographically or how different they are from us. And more discussions such as these.
Thanks for this. A big Yes to more real-life meetings!
The 'them vs us' rhetoric has been one of the system's greatest weapons and one of the oldest - divide and conquer. While we studied history at an early stage, it is sad and scary how these learnings and signs that should be so very obvious are still lost on so many.
Good old divide and conquer.
Thanks for reading.
I couldn’t agree more. You could have written exactly this about the current United States. It’s all so appalling and terrifying. Trump and his cronies give it all an added zest of sordid, stupid, disgusting, and pathetic. Prophet Song almost killed me; one of two books (The Road being the other) I am of course glad I’ve read, while simultaneously wishing I hadn’t. They’ll haunt me for life. Desperately trying to maintain a positive outlook, vote at every opportunity, including with my money, and ardently hoping that November really does bring the blue wave that’s so anticipated. Not that the Democrats are perfect by any means, but something must be done to bring this right wing crap under control.
Oh my goodness, you're so right about The Road.
I'll be keeping all fingers and toes crossed for you in November.
I so wish I couldn't relate, but after living in that space for a decade now, so your fears are all to familiar. Irrational as it seems, I'm still holding hope for the UK. Solidarity.
Indeed. I'd like to go on thinking that essential goodness will win out.