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https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/20/renouncing-us-citizenship-breaking-up-united-states-of-america>
"America, it’s been 60 years but I’m breaking up with you. I still love you but
I’m not in love with you and I’m calling it quits. I’m going willingly although
I’m sad because there is a lot that’s wonderful about you.
From your magnificent national parks, soaring redwoods and unique wildlife to
the magic of fireflies amid the corn fields on summer nights and the vibrant
colours of autumn leaves, your natural beauty is stunning. Your capacity to
inspire creativity and innovation is boundless, as reflected in the
inspirational people I have met who live within your borders. So many of my
fondest memories of our time together revolve around the flavours that will
always remind me of you – cinnamon, pumpkin pie, grape jelly. But, America, I
just don’t understand you any more.
If I were to write a break-up letter to the US, that’s how it would start. I
have been what is called an “accidental American” since birth thanks to my
father and 10 generations before him, beginning in 1636 and featuring
revolutionary and civil war soldiers, shared DNA with a former president and
generations of pioneers who crossed the country, from Massachusetts and New
Jersey to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Kansas.
I am so proud of my family’s history and their contribution to America’s story.
My dad grew up during the Great Depression; his father served as a Marine in
France in the first world war; his widowed great-grandmother managed a farm
with nine children to feed; his great-uncle helped rebuild San Francisco after
the 1906 earthquake; and his grandfather ran as a state senator.
Yet despite this quintessentially US family history, I find myself no longer
feeling a connection with the country. This is especially so considering the
perplexing and alarming political climate that leaves me questioning what being
American means. It has been dubbed “citizen insecurity” – and I think I have
it. Now I wish to distance myself."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
