Well, the time has come. The rain that came down as Trump became our new president represented all the tears that many Americans shed, including myself. I was never really interested in politics. I always thought of politics as being complex with trying to remember everyone's name, their status and their specific power.
However, this year I was brought into politics as President Trump dragged my people through the dirt. He said, "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending the best. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists." Well President Trump, this nasty woman has a few things to say about your thoughts on mi gente.
You see, when you spoke about us Mexicans, you not only spoke about the people I share the same blood with as a Mexican. You trashed my own blood and family. You attacked my grandfather. Mi abuelo. You tried to once again degrade us by saying you need to get rid of the "bad hombres." Oh I'm sorry, you actually said "bad hambres" which really translates to bad hungers - that's not a thing.
What President Trump failed to see is that people come into this country to better their lives because that is what The United States in known for. We're a nation of immigrants and that's what makes America so great. Not everyone who enters undocumented is trying to ruin our country. Yes, even those who use a coyote to come in illegally.
Take my grandfather for example. He came into this country to support his family back home in La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico. Like most, he was one hard worker. He worked with the blazing sun beating down on him in the fields. He didn't have the proper items to shield himself from the sun. Picking the crops from the ground forced him to bend down and tire his back, his hands. He did all of this because he knew that this was his job and only way of helping his family thrive.
How many Americans would willingly take my grandfather's job under horrible conditions and for chump change? My guess is not a lot. However for him, he knew he had to work hard because his family was depending on him. His wife and 11 children were what kept him motivated.
Some may say that President Trump is only talking about those who come into the U.S. illegally and cause trouble. I say, look again at what he said. He called out Mexico specifically for having "crime lords, drug dealers and rapists" as their citizens. Well guess what? My grandfather came into this country illegally and never brought drugs or crime in with him. He was never a rapist! He was just a man who was trying to support his family and give them the American dream.
After becoming a resident alien, my grandfather brought the rest of his family from Mexico over into California. Yes, they also became resident aliens. None of them were living in California illegally. All that determination and sacrifice paid off.
I'm proud to call my abuelo, my grandfather. His struggles are what proves to the world that anything is possible. We are possible. The color of your skin, gender, race, sexual preference or religion do not make you any less of a person. We are all human and we all deserve the same rights.
While it's hard to believe that someone who said such disgusting and horrific things is our new president, I believe in the people to keep this nation great. We were never in a state where we weren't great. In other words, if it's not broke, don't fix it.
My grandfather, along with all the other millions of immigrants that help make our country special, are the ones who inspire me. I hope that one day I can be as influential as they are and make a difference. For now, I will use my voice and my family's story to prove people wrong about the nasty stereotypes placed on Mexicans.
Thank you, Abuelo, for making me feel passionate about our future. They can try to build that wall but that's not going to stop us from coming in. No amount of hate can get rid of us. Get used to seeing more brown faces because we're not going anywhere. Always remember- sí, se puede!
