From ending DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) to offending undocumented folks and their families, there has been no end to the pain that Trump has shared since his presidential campaign.
It's not a surprise that for the past year the United States have been through a bumpy ride with our new President, but what happens when the politics of the outside enter your home?
Being of Puerto Rican and Colombian descent, there's already a huge separation between each side of my family, but when politics are involved it's like Moses parted the Red Sea--no one from each side touches and if anything is left in the middle then they have to find their own way of surviving. Personally, my need to survival is pretty high considering what's on the line is more than family: it's my boyfriend, my friends, and my coworkers.
Having a side of the family that is Trump Supportive and is supportive of ending DACA has always felt like a hand that is slowly choking me, some people may be able to forget it and move on, but some can't, unfortunately I'm part of the latter. The struggle is hard enough not knowing what is going to happen with DACA and each of my loved ones, especially considering that around 120 DACAmented folks are losing their protection per day. This is where my family would start to laugh and begin to protest the need of DACA and that they all "should just apply to become residents." Because everything in life is so easy.
Dealing with the politics of the world, for the most part, can be managed, but having to constantly hope that World War III doesn't break out every time a phone call comes in is a little bit harder, the toll that comes with it is more subtle yet deeper.
Having an undocumented or DACAmented partner, best friend, or even acquaintance is hard on its own, but constantly having to be ridiculed for having this relationship is worst.
"Can't you be with someone better?"
"What do you see in that foreigner?"
"There are so many better Americans that are successful and good looking."
Why, yes, I could have chosen to be friends or be in a relationship with someone who is "American," but what does that even mean? Isn't America known for being a land of opportunities and inviting immigrants for a better life? My rant can go on for hours and hours to anyone who's willing to listen, but in the end my question to everyone listening is what's the point?
What's the point of fighting with that family member that obviously doesn't respect your views or your decisions? What's the point of dwelling on things you can't change? What's the point of going through life unhappy when you should just enjoy life while you can?
All of this is easier said than done. But it's your views and your mentality that matters at the end of the day. My family members aren't going to change their political or personal views towards my boyfriend or the undocumented and DACAmented community, but it's not up to me to change their minds for them. It is my responsibility to stand my ground and make sure my voice is hear.
So to my family members that don't support the people I care about the most, I'm not sorry I chose them. I'm not sorry I'm happy. I am sorry I can't share the most important people in my life with you. But I do have to say thank you for teaching me that love is unconditional and family is not. Thank you for proving to me that although every word you told me hurt like hell, it's pushing me to become a voice for those that can't, for those who have no where to speak.
Thank you.
