I have a friend, dual citizenship, American + who knows personally of 2 Brazilians in the U.S. for 25 years, good builder jobs, cars, homes, no criminal record, visas might have lapsed (?), but taken off the street, put in shackles, money (one with $2k, having just been paid) in their pockets taken, no due process, no communication
to relatives, left on a hot airplane w/o adequate water, then shipped back to their original home of Brazil.
Other concerns is those, born in America, who have had run-ins online w/the grand poo-ba &
Thank you for sharing with us, this very special anniversary. I'm white, and born here, from grandparents who came from Germany in 1920. I don't think most of us, think about your kind of journey; we blithely accept our privilege. If there is a ray of sunshine in these bleak years, it is that we've been given an important lesson, test, that democracy is fought for, not a given. I appreciate your observations, and I agree: TOGETHER, we will seek and regain justice.
When white supremacists do their terrible racist words & deeds, I'm embarrassed --there are MANY whites out here, Qasim, as I'm sure you've had occasion to know, who are PROUD to be an immigrant country. Raised in an Air Force family, and privileged to live all over the world, I got the opportunity to view many cultures, so wasn't raised in one parochial viewpoint -- this was a privilege, to my mind, and made me quite open-minded to differences, that my opinion was only one, my, opinion. Through all our racist background, we have striven to progress to the goals of our creed -- I'm not a lawyer, but in my everyday life, I've always fought for justice, and this injustice, hate, division now, makes me sick to my stomach. Thank god my Daddy is not here to see the wreckage trump is doing to the country that he defended for a 30-year career.
I WILL NOT LET HIM & HIS SELFISH, EVIL, RACIST PEOPLE DESTROY AMERICA. ALL OF US TOGETHER, WILL RESTORE HER.
Congratulations on your 33rd anniversary as an American citizen. You have every right to be proud of your accomplishments.
I immigrated here from South Africa, following my parents who left 5 years earlier. My US relatives immigrated here at various times from 1938 until 1981.
Thank you for your advocacy for immigrants and for your continuing support for Palestinians suffering in Gaza.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing your special day with us. I loved the picture of you as a young boy. I’m a fourth generation immigrant (Irish) and though I personally never felt the sting of xenophobia, I know my ancestors did (“Irish need not apply”). It’s good to be reminded of the privileges I take for granted. I’m sorry you haven’t always been welcomed here in the US. That’s so wrong. Thanks for your important work, especially this substack. I wish you and your family all the best of everything.
You collectively make us better, and I am so grateful that your parents made the courageous decision to come here. Immigrants’ love for America is my greatest source of hope through this darkness. As a U.S.-born citizen, it is so easy to slip into staunch criticism, and at times even hatred, for this place. And so when I hear immigrants express their love for this country, it opens my eyes to a perspective that snaps me into realizing what I’ve had the privilege to take for granted because I just happened to be born here. Thank you for sharing your authentic feelings and this occasion with us. Happy anniversary, Qasim 🤍
Happy Citizenship Anniversary! Our nation is greater because of the diversity of our people, a fundamental principle of the "American dream." You are a part of that great tradition, even as now, we are seeing the re-emergence of the American "wet dream" -the adolescent notion of supremacy, of whiteness, misogyny, conquest, and brutality.
Thank you for your courage and constant strength to give forth all that you have done and will continue to accomplish. It is a privilege and an honor to have you as our friend.
Congratulations! Not only on y our anniversary but that you decided to take the time to celebrate the anniversary and share it with the rest of us.
This wave of fascism will eventually end, hopefully without too much more damage. Then we can get about the task of building that more perfect Union we all deserve.
My husband has also been a citizen for 33 years, since 1992. What a coincidence. Congratulations!
I'm glad you're here Qasim! You, and many other immigrants, make this country a better place.
Our Republic is richer for having you part of it. <3
You enhance the fabric of America. You are a testament to what this country should be-a melting pot of immigrants.
So what are we doing to help unjust happenings?
https://apple.news/A-duW3NAlSN-Vf-Ie6HZRzg
I have a friend, dual citizenship, American + who knows personally of 2 Brazilians in the U.S. for 25 years, good builder jobs, cars, homes, no criminal record, visas might have lapsed (?), but taken off the street, put in shackles, money (one with $2k, having just been paid) in their pockets taken, no due process, no communication
to relatives, left on a hot airplane w/o adequate water, then shipped back to their original home of Brazil.
Other concerns is those, born in America, who have had run-ins online w/the grand poo-ba &
who have been put on the bad Santa list.
I joke, but it is a serous concern.
I'm very proud of you.
Thank you for sharing with us, this very special anniversary. I'm white, and born here, from grandparents who came from Germany in 1920. I don't think most of us, think about your kind of journey; we blithely accept our privilege. If there is a ray of sunshine in these bleak years, it is that we've been given an important lesson, test, that democracy is fought for, not a given. I appreciate your observations, and I agree: TOGETHER, we will seek and regain justice.
When white supremacists do their terrible racist words & deeds, I'm embarrassed --there are MANY whites out here, Qasim, as I'm sure you've had occasion to know, who are PROUD to be an immigrant country. Raised in an Air Force family, and privileged to live all over the world, I got the opportunity to view many cultures, so wasn't raised in one parochial viewpoint -- this was a privilege, to my mind, and made me quite open-minded to differences, that my opinion was only one, my, opinion. Through all our racist background, we have striven to progress to the goals of our creed -- I'm not a lawyer, but in my everyday life, I've always fought for justice, and this injustice, hate, division now, makes me sick to my stomach. Thank god my Daddy is not here to see the wreckage trump is doing to the country that he defended for a 30-year career.
I WILL NOT LET HIM & HIS SELFISH, EVIL, RACIST PEOPLE DESTROY AMERICA. ALL OF US TOGETHER, WILL RESTORE HER.
You are so encouraging and an amazing human. Thank you for all you do, I really enjoy your Substack. 💪🏻
Congratulations on your 33rd anniversary as an American citizen. You have every right to be proud of your accomplishments.
I immigrated here from South Africa, following my parents who left 5 years earlier. My US relatives immigrated here at various times from 1938 until 1981.
Thank you for your advocacy for immigrants and for your continuing support for Palestinians suffering in Gaza.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing your special day with us. I loved the picture of you as a young boy. I’m a fourth generation immigrant (Irish) and though I personally never felt the sting of xenophobia, I know my ancestors did (“Irish need not apply”). It’s good to be reminded of the privileges I take for granted. I’m sorry you haven’t always been welcomed here in the US. That’s so wrong. Thanks for your important work, especially this substack. I wish you and your family all the best of everything.
Congratulations! So well expressed. As a naturalized citizen myself, i share your sentiments.
And now we learn that on top of all your accomplishments, you are also a serious runner👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Looking at 10-years-old Qasim - My God, you were a cute little boy!
You collectively make us better, and I am so grateful that your parents made the courageous decision to come here. Immigrants’ love for America is my greatest source of hope through this darkness. As a U.S.-born citizen, it is so easy to slip into staunch criticism, and at times even hatred, for this place. And so when I hear immigrants express their love for this country, it opens my eyes to a perspective that snaps me into realizing what I’ve had the privilege to take for granted because I just happened to be born here. Thank you for sharing your authentic feelings and this occasion with us. Happy anniversary, Qasim 🤍
We’re so fortunate and grateful you’re with us. Happy Anniversary!
Happy Citizenship Anniversary! Our nation is greater because of the diversity of our people, a fundamental principle of the "American dream." You are a part of that great tradition, even as now, we are seeing the re-emergence of the American "wet dream" -the adolescent notion of supremacy, of whiteness, misogyny, conquest, and brutality.
Thank you for your courage and constant strength to give forth all that you have done and will continue to accomplish. It is a privilege and an honor to have you as our friend.
Congratulations! Not only on y our anniversary but that you decided to take the time to celebrate the anniversary and share it with the rest of us.
This wave of fascism will eventually end, hopefully without too much more damage. Then we can get about the task of building that more perfect Union we all deserve.