06/06/2024
A few days ago, I was able to vote for the first time in my life. After living in America for 21 years without being a US citizen, I finally had the chance to exercise my right to vote. For a long time, I didn’t realize how much my voice mattered. My sweet neighbor, daughter, and I headed over to the voting location—it felt like a ceremony! We discussed a few candidates, sharing what we liked about them and our concerns. Interestingly, we had similar views and choices about whom we were voting for.
When we arrived at the library, the volunteers were very friendly, especially Debbi. She was incredibly patient with me as I mentioned it was my first time voting and I wasn’t quite sure what to do. Debbi was so excited for me, and soon the whole team of volunteers joined in, asking questions about where I was from and what brought me to the US. I love these questions because they give me a chance to express my love for America and how much this country has shaped me as a Black woman. Debbie even snapped a picture of me and my daughter so I have something to remember this important event by.
One of the most important things I learned was that they passed a law allowing non-citizen immigrants to vote for local government representatives. This makes so much sense, as we contribute to our cities in many ways. Including non-citizens in local elections is symbolic and meaningful.
I’ve lived on three different continents, and I am grateful for this country in so many ways. I’ve experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to be Black here, but I’ve also given birth to my daughter, gone to school, opened a business, and worked in both nonprofit (as a typical DC resident) and corporate America. These opportunities have been much more accessible here in the US than in any other countries I’ve lived in.
It’s important to remember that these changes came about because many voiceless people were helped by those who sacrificed their lives so we can vote today. We shouldn’t take this freedom for granted. Voting is important because it allows us to make a difference, even more than we might think.