I witnessed the palpable joy, relief and hope for the future as these individuals from 30 countries became U.S. citizens.
Not taking advantage of our freedoms – like the right to vote, the right to express ourselves and the right to become educated – is like winning the lottery and burying the jackpot.
The process to become a U.S. citizen is not quick or easy. In general, most people have to be a permanent resident here for at least five years, three if you are married to a U.S. citizen. You really have to want it.
On Friday, March 22, I saw, firsthand, 74 people who really wanted it. I witnessed the palpable joy, relief and hope for the future as these individuals from 30 countries became U.S. citizens.
A woman from Iran pledged allegiance to our flag with her hand over her heart and without a veil over her hair.
A man from Afghanistan will not face consequences in this country if he chooses to treat his wife and daughters as something more valuable than property.
A woman from China can now freely browse websites of companies that compete with Chinese businesses.
A man from Egypt likely has far better prospects now for earning a higher wage and enjoying higher living standards, as only the wealthy in his homeland can afford to live in a free-standing house.
According to Habitat for Humanity, 20 million Egyptians live in substandard housing conditions – dirt floors and thatched roofs – with little chance of improving their situation. Such conditions provide little protection from snakes, insects, intruders, rain or dangerously hot summer temperatures. “Some even share their homes with their livestock or poultry.” Thus, the threat of disease and danger from the elements is high.
Meanwhile, here in the States, we generally don’t have to think about dodging cobras or becoming ill from exposure to sick animals or oppressive heat.
In fact, we have choices about where we want live and our path to get there. We can safely cast a vote for those we want to represent us. We can also name our babies whatever we want, marry whomever we want and wear a dragon tail in public, if we feel like it. We can chew gum (it’s banned in Singapore), go outside alone (women in Saudi Arabia are discouraged if not banned from doing this) and start a business. And everyone has access to education, which many say is the game-changer for an improved quality of life. All kids in the U.S. have the right to free public education. After that there are grants, programs, financial aid and counselors available to help guide the way.
Those of us lucky enough to have been born in the United States may well have won the lottery of a lifetime without ever buying a ticket. What we do with our jackpot is up to us. QCBN
By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN
Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com.
Photo by Bonnie Stevens: Last month, 74 individuals from 30 countries became new U.S. citizens in a federal court in Phoenix.
