I've been told to leave this country more than once

[lunatica]

I’m white, so it isn’t just people of color who hear this. I’ve always been a Progressive Democrat, and I’ve heard it because of that. I’m bilingual so I’ve heard it because of that. I’m anti war so I’ve really heard it because of that.

What I have been told is that if I’m so unhappy why don’t I go live in another country, or that I would be happier in another country. People have asked me why I live here. My answer has always been that this is my country and that I love it. This response so far has been the winner in these confrontations. They don’t expect an answer because they think that just by saying it they’ve won some contest. A contest that only exists in their head.

This entire thing is just the first time it has been said by a President to all Americans.

He embodies the lowest common denominator of the dark side of this country. He’s a bigot. This will only serve to unite us even more.

[unc70]

1. Love it, or leave it!

Have also been told that multiple times since the 1960s in all the usual contexts. I am your typical Southern male
WASP and an occasional traitor to my race.

[lunatica]

3. Exactly.

I’ve heard it that way too.

[ck4829]

2. I haven't been told that and I am white

Can't really expect consistency from the low hanging fruit that is Trump's base though.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Each and every time

one of the Rethug slugs said that to me,just smiled and said,no I wont leave,I am staying just to make your friggin life a living hell .

[lunatica]

5. Good response. n/t

[a kennedy]

6. Yes.....love this response......

[Wellstone ruled]

7. And that statement was directed to a

certain Republican while standing next to a Certain Democratic Senator on a Pickett line at Hormel in Austin Minnesota on a bitterly cold morning.

[lunatica]

8. Every hippie heard that regularly. n/t

[RDANGELO]

9. The most inmportant thing to say when someone accuses you of hating America,

is to say."No I don't hate America. that is why I am speaking out". Don't let them get away with the notion that we hate America.

[mainer]

10. You have no idea how different those words sound to nonwhites

It’s one thing to be told to leave the country because you’re an unhappy hippie. It’s a completely different thing to be nonwhite and told those words because you “don’t belong.” One is a rejection of your politics. The other is a rejection of your humanity.

[lunatica]

11. Actually I do know that it's different when used as a racist slur

I’m quite aware of the difference. Their stupidity knows no bounds and their hatred is spread around generously to anything and anyone who doesn’t fit their incredibly limited world view. I don’t ever want to be confused as one of them. It would be too similar to being perceived as a “good” American. No thanks. I won’t be part of that stereotype. My post is one way of saying that.

There are times when it’s necessary to be the one who repudiates people of my own race because I do get that they are racist. This is one of those times. Silence by white people about insults aimed at other races is to be complicit.

I was never a hippie.