Lars Plate from Kirchdorf: insights into life in the USA

Lars Plate from Kirchdorf: insights into life in the USA

Nashville, Tennessee, USA - An exciting interview with Lars Plate, a native of Kirchdorfer who has been living in the USA for 20 years, reveals the explosive mood in Nashville, Tennessee, during the current election campaign. Plate, which teaches at the renowned Vanderbilt University, describes his everyday life as characterized by uncertainty. "You are agitated," he says. "The country is polarized, and while we live in Nashville in an open bubble, the reality in the conservative suburbs looks very different."

Plate describes how the Trump supporters are caught in their own world and often do not get to know another worldview. "There are hardly any alternatives in the small cities and in the country. Schools and hospitals close, and that makes the situation even more tense." He feels particularly uncomfortable when he drives into rural areas and is surrounded by Trump signs. "That is reminiscent of January 6, 2020," he adds, without wanting to stir up prejudices.

the choice and its consequences

The choice has an immense meaning for Plate. "If Trump wins, it would be tragic, especially for health care," he warns. In Tennessee there are already restrictions that affect women in their medical care. Plate emphasizes that science suffers from a government that denies scientific knowledge. "We are dependent on government funding, and if they do not flow, we can implement fewer projects." Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic that democracy is strong enough to survive this turbulent time.

Plate, who lives in Nashville with his wife Julie and daughter Ilyari, has no plans to leave the United States. "We are committed here professionally, but immigration policy is worried. Many workers from abroad are responsible for the construction boom in Nashville. What happens to them?" The uncertainty about the future remains while the election forecasts stand on knife cutting edges. "It's 50:50," says Plate, and the doubt in his voice is unmistakable.