The Immigrant Voice: Midterms, Voting, and Personal Freedom

There is a longstanding Cold War joke that goes: ‘How do you tell the Soviet spy at a baseball game? He’s the only one who knows the words to the National Anthem!‘ This joke highlights the importance of cultural and national symbols, and similarly, it could be argued that Americans have their own set of bona fide events that bring the nation together. One such event is the midterm elections. However, there is a group who perhaps gets jazzed about midterms more than others – immigrants.

Midterms and Immigrants

I have a friend who works with a voter registration group and she is rather significant locally due to her status as both a college professor and an activist. She often attends naturalization ceremonies and shares with me that these are happy events. People are thrilled, inviting their families and children, dressing up, and celebrating. The main source of their joy is the right to vote, a freedom that they have only just acquired.

During midterm elections, expect to hear a lot of Spanish spoken, as well as other languages such as Somali, Eritrean, Yemeni, Vietnamese, or Syrian. Unlike those born in the US, these individuals feel the sanctity of their right to vote in their very bones. Weather conditions do not factor; they show up to exercise their franchise, whether it be sunny or rainy, good or bad feeling. This phenomenon underscores the profound impact of voting and the value it holds for immigrants who have just gained citizenship.

Lessons from Personal Experiences

Walking and crossing the road can present challenges, as I can attest from personal experiences. There have been times when I’ve been stopped by the police for the simple act of walking or crossing the road. For example, during one event, my ex-husband faced a similar issue in a location in the Carolinas. She was near shops, and instead of driving a few kilometers, she decided to walk. A police officer pulled her over, in spite of no reported suspicious activity. Similarly, in Los Angeles on a Sunday morning, I was stopped while crossing a road, leading to an interaction with a police officer in full uniform, including a bicycle mustache.

These experiences might seem trivial, but they highlight a broader issue. It is not the intent to criticise the USA or its police, but to share these incidents as a response to a particular question. The incidents involving the police were not necessarily aggressive from the outset and quickly turned into more pleasant encounters. However, the point is that these types of interactions do happen to others, and just because it may not have happened to someone doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen to others.

The Importance of Personal Freedom

Immigrants in the United States feel a profound sense of freedom due to their right to vote, which they only recently gained. The ability to participate in the democratic process is a lifelong dream for many, and it results in a sense of pride and accomplishment. They understand the value of their right to vote and the importance of making their voices heard. This is why they show up, regardless of weather or mood.

In conclusion, midterm elections are a signal of the fundamental freedoms cherished by the American people. For immigrants, these are joyous occasions that celebrate the realization of a long-held dream. Their participation is not just about voting; it is about the broader journey of personal and social freedom.