Greetings!
Generally, it is assumed most immigrants are lured to America for its skyscrapers, fancy malls, and the seduction of getting rich quickly. Maybe for some. But for most immigrants, displaced forcibly or coming by choice, it is American democracy with its promise of free speech, independent judiciary, and free media, religious freedom, and protection of minorities, that’s the draw. In short, America’s cherished values continue to attract millions to cross hostile borders, mountains and merciless seas, and wait in visa lines to get here. Most of us who make the difficult journey, or in some cases have the luxury of making the choice to leave everything familiar behind to arrive in a foreign land, do so out of a sacred desire and a dream of living in a country where, unlike our countries of origin, we have the privilege of changing the elected leaders, good and bad, every two or four or six years. At home, we were stuck with the corrupt dictators, the warlords, and those in power for life. They rule by force, violence, and politics of division, putting one community against another. They punish those, who dare to challenge the status quo and tyranny. Once here however, life interrupts. For one reason or another and faced with language and other barriers, the same immigrants who had dreamt of participation in elections fail to exercise their franchise.
And that’s when community-based immigrant-run organizations such as the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center (IWC) come in. Trusted by our new neighbors – for we look and sound like them – we are positioned well to educate our community members on the complicated American electoral system and encourage them to cast their ballots on the election day. Starting months before the first ballot is cast, a team of Community Navigators, led by Molly Herman, the manager of IWC’s Citizenship and Civic Engagement Program, has been tabling at different community events and settings, knocking at doors and canvassing to get New Mainers registered to vote, and to remind them of the importance of participation in elections, while mindful of our mission as a nonpartisan nonprofit.
With the mid-term election upon us, we urge our new neighbors who are legally able to do so, to vote on Tuesday, November 8. This election, like every other election, is important and every vote counts. The elections are about making informed decisions on who should represent us, implement policies, and distribute resources that will not only benefit us but will make our communities, the state and the country we love so much safer, better, and stronger. We vote for ourselves, our families and for the sake of the millions left behind and stuck with the nasty dictators. We can be their voice.
Reza Jalali
Executive Director
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