2022 Midterms: The First-Gen American Experience
My family moved to the US to find the American dream.
They gave up everything they knew – their family, their language – for a chance at opportunity and freedom. Growing up, I was always aware of how lucky I was to have been born in America. But, as I grew older, I started to recognize the deep-rooted issues in America’s history.
I started to see firsthand how America fails to protect many individuals’ rights–especially those of minorities. Being raised in America set me up for many successes, which I would have otherwise been refused simply for being a woman in Iran. Still, there are obvious roadblocks in my path. Women are often treated as second-class citizens in the US; unfortunately, minority women are predominantly overlooked in politics.
As a kid, I would sit on the floor of my living room with my family as we watched presidential debates and election results flash on the screen. No one in my family could vote– we weren’t citizens– but still, I watched candidates argue over the fate of my family’s green card status. I watched candidates call me evil and watched my parents worry over how their colleagues would treat them to next day.
Every election cycle, I hope for something different. I pray for the blue wave of all blue waves to knock over all those who stand in my way to making my place in this country. While I have yet to get that, I have seen a lot of improvement. I watched my home state of North Carolina go blue in 2012 and, later in 2017, gain a Democrat Governor! There are obvious issues within our system, but one of the biggest changes we can make comes by voting for those with good values. This change is slow, but it is there.
This change only occurs with voters like you.
Rideshare2Vote gave over a thousand rides this election, and it’s all because of our hundreds of dedicated volunteers who fight every cycle to increase turnout and fight voter suppression.
But our work isn’t done yet, and neither is yours.
The Georgia Runoff is upon us. For Dems to pass the legislation we want to see, we will need a larger majority in the Senate. In order for us to win this runoff, it is essential that we get out the vote. To schedule a free ride to the runoffs: https://rideshare2vote.com/request-a-ride/.
by Kimia Adibi
