I’ve had an American Visa since I was only a couple days old. I learned English through my American grandmother and Disney Channel at the same time as I started speaking. An American doctor changed my life by performing experimental surgery that has allowed me to walk despite having been born with Spina Bifida. My great-grandfather was a veteran of WWI and my uncle was in the Air Force during the Korean War. I attended an American community college and university. Many of my closest friends are from the United States. I love Captain America, Beauty and the Beast, and Batman. My family’s future generations are all US citizens.
But none of that matters, because from now on, all people will see or care about is my Mexican passport.
The American Dream I grew up with, the ideal that being part of the United States meant respect, memory, and hard work seems to have gone up in smoke in the past couple of years, and culminated in the results of last night’s election.
It’s not even just about Donald Trump’s ascension to power next January. I’m concerned for the safety of every minority and group that has been targeted during this presidential campaign. Because with so many hate groups feeling that their beliefs have been officially validated, who knows what will be happening on the streets of the U.S.A.
I grew up respecting veterans, not just because both the Mexican and the American side of my family is full of them, but because they are human beings that deserve to have medical, psychological, and communal support.
I was raised Catholic but was taught that profession of faith, or even a lack of belief, is not a measure for kindness.
I don’t claim to know or understand why there is so much violence and hate in the world. What I do believe is that separating people, and putting them against each other, has never resulted in peace.
Placing our hopes and dreams on economic situations has never achieved happiness. Forcing doctrine through the imposition of laws does not change hearts.
Because, despite what the future president has claimed, according to the United States’ Constitution all men are created equal.
Today I rode for an hour on a bus that was so full my feet barely touched the ground as the swarm of passengers moved from stop to stop. It’s not because there’s not enough buses or transport in Mexico City. It’s because we all have jobs and schools to get to. No elderly person was left standing because someone was always quick to offer their seat.
Don’t believe what some talking head on the TV says. My people are hardworking and compassionate.
I loved what I learned to be, the values of the American Way. But they seem to reside no more in the majority of the hearts of the inhabitants of that territory.
Today I am disappointed, sad, confused, and I’ll admit, a little angry.
But I believe the same thing as what the elders of Standing Rock have continuously said during their own ordeal: Love will prevail. It may seem like we’re heading for dark days, but we need to believe that truth and justice survives even the direst circumstances. It has to.
