It's been a long time coming (as outlined below in the Verbal Shit Statistics story).
And now it has finally happened:
And now it has finally happened:
As per yesterday, more than half of all new applicants say, among their top three reasons for deciding to become Global Natives, that their regional/national politics have swung too far to the right. It frightens and frustrates them. This is not how they want their kids to grow up.
Make no mistake, conservative thinking is not what worries them.
It's the overwhelming pessimism, the depressing doomsday scenarios, the xenophobic search for scape goats, the suspicion towards everyone who doesn't conform to supposed norms, the denial of scientific facts and the constant lookout for potential enemies ... all of this creates a toxic environment for global minded parents and eager-to-explore-the-world kids.
It's the overwhelming pessimism, the depressing doomsday scenarios, the xenophobic search for scape goats, the suspicion towards everyone who doesn't conform to supposed norms, the denial of scientific facts and the constant lookout for potential enemies ... all of this creates a toxic environment for global minded parents and eager-to-explore-the-world kids.
It used to be: global citizenship, languages and opportunities.
And these still are the heart and core of the community.
But back in our early days - from 2009 to 2016 - we never focused on politics.
We do now.
But back in our early days - from 2009 to 2016 - we never focused on politics.
We do now.
Global Native parents don't want their kids to grow up in an environment of phobias.
The longing for educated optimism and open-minded company is their driving force.
The longing for educated optimism and open-minded company is their driving force.
Parents say: "Our kids want to think in solutions, not threats.
Nationalists will not solve one of the challenges the world is facing."
Right-wing nationalism damages individuals, communities and nations alike.
Nationalists will not solve one of the challenges the world is facing."
Right-wing nationalism damages individuals, communities and nations alike.
Just take Brexit as a demonstration of how the destructive dynamics
of patriotism have gone wrong:
As Michelle Goldberg wrote in the New York Times only recently, this "decisive moment
in the international rise of reactionary populism was a grave error".
in the international rise of reactionary populism was a grave error".
Right-wing nationalists don't hold one possible reality against another for fair comparison.
No, it's their grim version of the future against a false, nostalgic memory of "better days".
It can't work. It is a lie. We know that, and so do the parents in our community.
No, it's their grim version of the future against a false, nostalgic memory of "better days".
It can't work. It is a lie. We know that, and so do the parents in our community.
Michelle Goldberg's article ends as follows, quoting London's mayor Sadiq Khan:
"... but there’s a larger lesson, one most Western countries seemingly have to continually relearn.
Right-wing nationalist projects begin with loud, flamboyant swagger. They tend to end unspeakably."
Trump and Brexit, climate crisis, pandemic and war have changed our world.
But we are ready to cope. Because we take a stand.
But we are ready to cope. Because we take a stand.