We Are Standing at a Crossroads

We are only one day away from the most consequential general elections in recent history, where the fate of our democracy truly hangs in the balance. American voters are going to the polls amidst a deadly pandemic that has so far killed 229,932 people and is uncontrollably surging by the day, an economic downturn that has resulted in high unemployment rates, a severe housing crisis with 30 - 40 million people facing eviction by the end of this year, rising racial tensions and protests against police brutality on black and brown bodies, growing numbers of race motivated hate crimes all over the country –these distressing social, political and economic crisis have been exacerbated, mismanaged and flamed by the current administration that is seeking our vote for a second term.

Casting a ballot in this election is a referendum on this administration’s muddled, undemocratic, and estranged policies that have made existing conditions far worse, resulting in a direct assault on our livelihoods, health, and collective wellbeing.

The truth is, we cannot afford to continue suffering four more years under the same policies that literally kill people, and allow the most vulnerable members of our community to be assaulted, neglected, lied to, and their safety nets, including essential programs dismantled when they are most needed.

The stakes are especially high for the immigrant communities who have been pawns in the administration’s political game, from the failed attempt at ending DACA, the crackdown on undocumented immigrants, the massive reduction in the number of refugees accepted, the Muslim travel ban and the most heart-wrenching of all, the cruelty of the family-separation and the locking-up of children in cages. The separated children and their families are likely never to be reunited again, and that fact alone have kept most of us awake at night, literally hearing the cries of these children, neglected and rendered invisible. The United States will have to reckon with this historical and shameful legacy for years to come.

Amid our youth, nearly 800,000 DACA recipients are at risk of deportation and will be separated from their families if the current administration cancels this program in its entirety. The administration has tried several times to do so, but those attempts were halted by the lower courts, as well as the Supreme Court, as of late. DACA youth provide critical income for their families. They have been making a living, bought new homes, started new jobs, and are providing their parents and families the needed support, and providing our society with essential workforce that run the gamut from doctors, farmers, nurses, teachers, child care providers and grocery workers to name a few.

KRC has witnessed first-hand the angst of low-income elderly Korean American immigrants who are dependent on Social Security and other social programs that are at risk of being defunded if this administration gets its way. These folks have struggled all their lives, and have made immense sacrifices to live better lives, upholding laws, and contributing to the wellbeing of family members making ours a strong and resilient community. We will not allow these members who are still alive today to be treated as second class citizens in the nation they, their children and grandchildren have helped to build.

Simply reflecting from what we have lived through in the past four years, the continuation of this administration for another term will be highly catastrophic not only to immigrant communities but to all who believe in justice and integrity. We have slid backwards to an unrecognizable and divided country that will be more hostile to us if things continue as they are.

We stand at a crossroads, given the opportunity to choose the path where more humane and fair policies and practices will be enacted to support the wellbeing of the people and the planet. Let us unequivocally choose a United States that truly reckons with its racial past and rights the wrongs to build a more perfect union that celebrates our diversity and uplifts the vulnerable. Let us have the difficult conversations in order to bridge our differences and bring about authentic healing. Let us move beyond acknowledging that Black Lives Matter and actively work in solidarity with our fellow Black, Indigenous and People of Color to bring about our collective liberation and much needed systemic changes.

At KRC, we recognize elections come and go, but the real work of change is happening every day, in ways both big and small. While political leaders make headlines, we will continue to organize with ordinary people to improve our immigrant communities, to protect vulnerable populations and build America’s future, for we are the people we have been waiting for.