Voices That Matter
Carli Menendez (left) hugs her husband Franklin Menendez (right) after officially becoming a U.S. citizen. (Katheryne Menendez | The Corsair )
For 20 years, my mother spent every day worrying about how she could provide for her family as an undocumented immigrant. Whether it be fear of deportation, inability to get high-paying jobs because of her status, her lack of English proficiency, or any other problem related to her undocumented status, my mother’s life in the United States has been filled with trial and tribulation.
Since I was little, I’ve heard all about the American Dream and how great this country apparently is. I was taught that this was because of the ground-breaking democratic structures that our idealized founding fathers created, making this country with the most freedom, where everyone can make it as long as they tried. But I never saw this so-called American dream. Instead I saw my parents work to the bone while we were still relatively close to the ravages of homelessness, poverty, and deportation. In many ways, the peril my mother faced was due to the fact that socioeconomic stability in America is becoming harder and harder to obtain in the United States. If you are an undocumented immigrant, it is basically impossible. Besides rising prices and low, stagnant wages, my mother was also subjected to whatever politicians and governments she did not elect saw fit.
In 2021, the LAPD shot 37 people according to Police Chief Michel Moore, and median home prices rose 15 percent reaching a record $805,000 according to the L.A. Times. In 2020, there were 66,000 homeless people in L.A. according to the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority. It's no secret that elections are important. But it seems too often that primary elections, in which many of the issue above are at stake, are overlooked. Local elections have a great impact on citizens and noncitizens alike, and it is important that we take them seriously.
The primary election on Tuesday, June 7 will be an important step in the election of many of our local and state politicians. Positions for everything from Governor, to U.S Representatives, to the next Mayor of L.A. will be on the ballot. And just like positions are at stake, so are issues that affect us. As the primary election comes, I am filled with a lot of emotions. This will be my very first election, as well as the first election my mother, who is 18 years my senior, will be able to participate in. For the first time in 20 years, she will be able to have a say in the country and its policies that dictated her every moment and action. Besides the excitement I feel, I also feel wary of the many people's livelihoods at stake, and pity towards the many people who despite being above voting age will not have a say in this election. For the first time, my mother and I have been given a voice, and we hope to use it for the many who can’t use their voice. And as the dawn of the election approaches, I hope everyone who has a voice can use their right and duty to vote to help the voiceless.
