I am moved by your story — just having that acceptance letter from the Austrian government must shift the landscape inside you. Selfishly and perhaps naively, I hope your bright spirit remains here. I read straight through without stopping. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Laurie. I appreciate your kind words about the piece and about my presence in this country. No plans to move right now, but as you say, the option does shift the inner landscape a bit. ❤️
Wow. Being descended from Sicilian immigrants, with the fact that neither of my mother's parents were naturalized when their children were born here, turns out I'm eligible for Italian citizenship. My cousin, his kids, my sister and her kids did the work and have dual citizenship. My neice lives abroad in Ireland now. The EU makes it possible. Ive wavered. Everything I know is here. My father fought nazis in the Bulge and Germany. I learned to hate fascism from him, and it's become my life-work now.
Italy is governed by right wingers now. It can happen anywhere, even in countries like Germany and Austria who have acknowledged their criminal pasts. Democracy is like Joni Mitchell's paved paradise: you dont know what youve got till It's gone. Powerful read, Tanya.
Thanks so much, George. And you're certainly right: it can happen anywhere. That's why wherever we are, we have to pay attention and stay vigilant. Glad you're in there fighting the good fight, wherever you may find yourself!
I was moved to tears reading this and that letter from the Austrian government was astonishing. I hope you stay here and that life changes soon to make it worth staying. I also laughed at the variety of colorful names you came up with if he who deserves no kindness. So good, all of it. And you bring your vati so to life I can imagine him kvelling over his beautiful and talented daughter!
Aw, thank you so much, Linda! So glad you enjoyed it, and that you got some giggles as well as some tears. I had to really search for different ways to say orange. 😂
Hey Tanya, great story, wonderful writing as usual and congrats on your plan B! And I think there's an opportunity supplement it with a deeper theme so essential to what you have described. That is the White supremacy (including English over the Irish, Aryans over the Jews, Russians over Ukrainians, etc.) responsible for Trump and ICE and your ability to go back to Austria among many other privileges. Consider the following edit: "He attended New York University under the GI bill when native USA veterans of color were denied that privilege." I'm sure it added to your dad's fear for president Obama knowing that our country excluded black veterans from the GI bill so essential to his and his family's lives. You could also mention the Austrian and EU wealth to which you are now entitled was and continues to be ($17 trillion/yr to the global north) almost entirely plundered from it's current and former colonies now called the "global south." The decried "division" in this country including ICE agents murdering Renee Good is among White folk, more of which are aligning where the vast majority of people of color always were: supportive of a multiracial democracy. Going to Austria probably escapes that dream rather than it supports it.
Yes "it's only a matter of time" but how long can we wait? I'm 85 and have done what I could to protest the current administration and will continue to do so as long as I can. At his point in my life I pray that a greater power will look down on where we are as a country and help us fight back and eliminate evil and make our world more compassionate and peaceful.
Tanya, you are such a talented and capable woman. Thank you for sharing your journey and for the love you and Harry provided to your fellow Americans. Whether you choose to go or to stay, we are a better country because you are part of us.
Thoroughly enjoyed your story Tanya. Thank you for the courage to share it. Brava to you for seeking an alternative rightfully yours and for your family.
I am moved by your story — just having that acceptance letter from the Austrian government must shift the landscape inside you. Selfishly and perhaps naively, I hope your bright spirit remains here. I read straight through without stopping. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Laurie. I appreciate your kind words about the piece and about my presence in this country. No plans to move right now, but as you say, the option does shift the inner landscape a bit. ❤️
Wow. Being descended from Sicilian immigrants, with the fact that neither of my mother's parents were naturalized when their children were born here, turns out I'm eligible for Italian citizenship. My cousin, his kids, my sister and her kids did the work and have dual citizenship. My neice lives abroad in Ireland now. The EU makes it possible. Ive wavered. Everything I know is here. My father fought nazis in the Bulge and Germany. I learned to hate fascism from him, and it's become my life-work now.
Italy is governed by right wingers now. It can happen anywhere, even in countries like Germany and Austria who have acknowledged their criminal pasts. Democracy is like Joni Mitchell's paved paradise: you dont know what youve got till It's gone. Powerful read, Tanya.
Thanks so much, George. And you're certainly right: it can happen anywhere. That's why wherever we are, we have to pay attention and stay vigilant. Glad you're in there fighting the good fight, wherever you may find yourself!
I was moved to tears reading this and that letter from the Austrian government was astonishing. I hope you stay here and that life changes soon to make it worth staying. I also laughed at the variety of colorful names you came up with if he who deserves no kindness. So good, all of it. And you bring your vati so to life I can imagine him kvelling over his beautiful and talented daughter!
Aw, thank you so much, Linda! So glad you enjoyed it, and that you got some giggles as well as some tears. I had to really search for different ways to say orange. 😂
Hey Tanya, great story, wonderful writing as usual and congrats on your plan B! And I think there's an opportunity supplement it with a deeper theme so essential to what you have described. That is the White supremacy (including English over the Irish, Aryans over the Jews, Russians over Ukrainians, etc.) responsible for Trump and ICE and your ability to go back to Austria among many other privileges. Consider the following edit: "He attended New York University under the GI bill when native USA veterans of color were denied that privilege." I'm sure it added to your dad's fear for president Obama knowing that our country excluded black veterans from the GI bill so essential to his and his family's lives. You could also mention the Austrian and EU wealth to which you are now entitled was and continues to be ($17 trillion/yr to the global north) almost entirely plundered from it's current and former colonies now called the "global south." The decried "division" in this country including ICE agents murdering Renee Good is among White folk, more of which are aligning where the vast majority of people of color always were: supportive of a multiracial democracy. Going to Austria probably escapes that dream rather than it supports it.
Thanks for reading, Neo! I appreciate your thoughts. Lots to reflect on.
Yes "it's only a matter of time" but how long can we wait? I'm 85 and have done what I could to protest the current administration and will continue to do so as long as I can. At his point in my life I pray that a greater power will look down on where we are as a country and help us fight back and eliminate evil and make our world more compassionate and peaceful.
I hear you, Phoebe. I too pray my agnostic's prayer for a peaceful and compassionate world. ❤️
You continue to bring air and light into the cobwebby corners of my concerns. I love you, Tanya.
Thank you so much, dear Gigi! And right back at you! Lots of love.
Tanya, you are such a talented and capable woman. Thank you for sharing your journey and for the love you and Harry provided to your fellow Americans. Whether you choose to go or to stay, we are a better country because you are part of us.
Thank you so much, dear Julie. Sending love to you and your family. ❤️
This is a very different perspective than most people have.
Your family has experienced both the Nazi regime and the MAGA regime.
Thank you for sharing
Thanks so much, Jeannette! ❤️
Thoroughly enjoyed your story Tanya. Thank you for the courage to share it. Brava to you for seeking an alternative rightfully yours and for your family.
Thank you, Linda!