This morning at breakfast at my hotel in Naples on the Florida Gulf Coast: A man in shorts, a shirt and sandals is wearing a mask. While he’s waiting at the toaster, a second one stands in front of him and says: “Are you a fucking liberal – or why are you wearing this thing?” Translated, this means: “Are you a fucking leftist – or why are you wearing that thing?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. He turns and walks away, coffee in hand. The man with the toast and the mask shakes his head briefly, grabs a jam and sits down at the table. In the USA, the term “leftist” has meanwhile become a kind of swear word that is mainly used by conservatives.
Access to all STERN PLUS content and articles from the print magazine
ad-free
Already registered?
