4 ms·

I'm not in deep rural America, but I'm not in a big city either - I'm about 50 miles from the nearest big city. And this is a red state. It's mostly white peop

I'm not in deep rural America, but I'm not in a big city either - I'm about 50 miles from the nearest big city. And this is a red state. It's mostly white people here, and that was never ever an issue before the events of 2016. Seriously, I didn't even think about it. Yes, people were sometimes a little distant or whatever, but I never faced racism that I could point at. It helps that we speak fluently with barely any accent - people (store clerks, etc.) would be standoffish till we spoke and then they'd be fine. Now, there's a distinctly different feeling when we walk into our grocery store, or go out to eat. People look at us more, there's a chill in the air and it's not just winter. You might think I'm being paranoid and maybe I am. But I'm taking it seriously enough to upend our life and move to a new country. This isn't something you do on a whim, or just cause you're feeling singled out. I sent my fingerprints to the FBI for a police check. That's not like buying a coffee. We are just so disappointed - and let me clarify, I'm not politically active, nor do I care very much for the other candidate. It's just sad to think that this is the best the US could do. It's also terrifying (as immigrants and minorities) to see the people who are getting cabinet positions. My friend's six year old daughter was told to go back to her own country. She was born here. She is indistinguishable from your average six-year old US kid - except she isn't white and has a name that's different. She never had that happen before. We aren't going to raise our children here. I'm going to get off my soapbox now. I'm sorry if this comment isn't a good fit for HN. I am a quiet soul and do not usually speak stridently online or offline. I guess this HN story just caught me at a low point.

beachstartup 10y ago
> I sent my fingerprints to the FBI for a police check. That's not like buying a coffee. what does this mean? anyway - you're not going to find any less of what you're describing in canada. possibly even more, depending on where you move. the backlash to their hard-left politics hasn't happened yet, but it will. -non-white american with immigrant parents
- mattkrause 10y ago
  It's part of the immigration requirements (i.e., prove you're not a criminal). I think OP mentioned it because it's fairly annoying to do, and thus indicates his seriousness.
sakopov 10y ago
I'm an immigrant too. Actually, more like a refugee. I've moved from one country to another twice. Once escaping from Islamic nationalists and once more fleeing from Russian nationalists and skinheads. Have I ever seen people looking weird at me in my 16 years in the US. Sure, plenty of times. Have people ever talked down to me because of my heritage or the way I spoke English and etc? Yep. That happened too. Has it bothered me? No. Believe me this is nothing compared to the shit me and my family have gone through. This country has built me from ground up and given me and my family unbelievable opportunities I'd never otherwise even dream about. There is nothing that I've experienced here that will outweigh the good things. Good luck with your move, but If you're looking for a land of cupcakes and rainbows you'll be very disappointed.
- charlesism 10y ago
  There's no cupcake shortage in Canada. We have the occasional rainbow, too. The most unpleasant thing I can think of about life up here is that occasionally some YouTube video you want to watch is region-blocked. It's not "being chased by a mob of nationalist vigilantes" bad, but it's still annoying.
  - copperx 10y ago
    Aren't ISPs really bad too?
    - charlesism 10y ago
      Yes, but he's moving from the States, so he's used to that. If you want decent internet, you basically have to move to Northern Europe, or Asia. It wouldn't be hard to compile a list of things are slightly worse in Canada than in the US (product availability, weather). But, it wouldn't be hard to compile a list of things are slightly better, too (infrastructure, crime rate). I can also think of things that are better in Europe (architecture, mobile telephony, travel) but taken as a whole, I think Canada strikes a pretty decent balance.

beachstartup 10y ago

> I sent my fingerprints to the FBI for a police check. That's not like buying a coffee. what does this mean? anyway - you're not going to find any less of what you're describing in canada. possibly even more, depending on where you move. the backlash to their hard-left politics hasn't happened yet, but it will. -non-white american with immigrant parents

mattkrause 10y ago
It's part of the immigration requirements (i.e., prove you're not a criminal). I think OP mentioned it because it's fairly annoying to do, and thus indicates his seriousness.

sakopov 10y ago

I'm an immigrant too. Actually, more like a refugee. I've moved from one country to another twice. Once escaping from Islamic nationalists and once more fleeing from Russian nationalists and skinheads. Have I ever seen people looking weird at me in my 16 years in the US. Sure, plenty of times. Have people ever talked down to me because of my heritage or the way I spoke English and etc? Yep. That happened too. Has it bothered me? No. Believe me this is nothing compared to the shit me and my family have gone through. This country has built me from ground up and given me and my family unbelievable opportunities I'd never otherwise even dream about. There is nothing that I've experienced here that will outweigh the good things. Good luck with your move, but If you're looking for a land of cupcakes and rainbows you'll be very disappointed.

charlesism 10y ago
There's no cupcake shortage in Canada. We have the occasional rainbow, too. The most unpleasant thing I can think of about life up here is that occasionally some YouTube video you want to watch is region-blocked. It's not "being chased by a mob of nationalist vigilantes" bad, but it's still annoying.
- copperx 10y ago
  Aren't ISPs really bad too?
  - charlesism 10y ago
    Yes, but he's moving from the States, so he's used to that. If you want decent internet, you basically have to move to Northern Europe, or Asia. It wouldn't be hard to compile a list of things are slightly worse in Canada than in the US (product availability, weather). But, it wouldn't be hard to compile a list of things are slightly better, too (infrastructure, crime rate). I can also think of things that are better in Europe (architecture, mobile telephony, travel) but taken as a whole, I think Canada strikes a pretty decent balance.