Immigrant voices make democracy stronger | Sayu Bhojwani

TL;DR

In this speech, the speaker shares their journey as an immigrant and discusses the importance of immigrant voices, votes, and vantage points in strengthening American democracy.

Transcript

Good evening. My journey to this stage began when I came to America at the age of 17. You see, I'm one of the 84 million Americans who are immigrants or children of immigrants. Each of us has a dream when we come here, a dream that usually has to be rewritten and always has to be repurposed. I was one of the lucky ones. My revised dream led me to t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 Immigration dreams: The journey of immigrants and their revised dreams in America are often challenging and require rewriting and repurposing. America is not always welcoming, but immigrants can create a better and stronger democracy together.
• 💼 Social entrepreneurship: The speaker started an organization for young people of Indian heritage, becoming an advocate for South Asians and other immigrants. Lobbying and volunteering were their ways to make a difference before being able to vote or run for office.
• 🗳 Exercising the right to vote: Immigrants' votes can make a significant impact in elections, not only at the presidential level but also in local and state elections. Encouraging more minority voters to participate is essential for inclusive democracy.
• 👥 Underrepresented leadership: American leadership does not reflect the diverse population. With fewer than 2% of local and state offices held by Asian-Americans or Latinos, the immigrant voices of these communities are often underrepresented.
• 📚 Immigrants' vantage point: Immigrants bring unique perspectives and dedication to America due to their pursuit of opportunities, freedom, and love. This commitment is also carried into public service, advocating for issues that affect their communities, such as education funding.
• ⚖️ Fear of law enforcement: Many immigrants, especially the undocumented, fear encountering law enforcement every day, as it can have life-altering consequences. This fear is often misunderstood by well-meaning individuals in government positions.
• 🚫 Fear-driven exclusion: Fear drives both immigrants and non-immigrants, leading to a tension and division. Immigrants fear losing their place in the country, while non-immigrants fear the changes immigrants might bring. Finding common ground is necessary for a stronger democracy.
• 🇺🇸 American patriotism: Immigrants like the speaker have fought to be in America and continue to do so every day. They believe it is their country too, and their optimism for a better future never wavers, even in difficult times.

Questions & Answers

Q: What organization does the speaker work for?

The speaker works for an organization that trains immigrants to run for public office and advocates for inclusive democracy.

Q: How long did it take the speaker to become an American citizen?

The speaker's journey from being an international student to becoming an American citizen took 16 years.

Q: Why does the speaker believe immigrants' votes, voices, and vantage points are important for American democracy?

The speaker believes that immigrants' votes, voices, and vantage points are important because they can change the outcome of elections, introduce new issues into policy debates, and diversify the current leadership in the country.

Q: What percentage of local and state offices in America are held by Asian-Americans or Latinos?

Less than 2 percent of local and state offices in America are held by Asian-Americans or Latinos, even though they are the two largest immigrant groups in the country.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker is an immigrant who came to America at 17 and now trains immigrants to run for public office and advocates for inclusive democracy.

• She shares her experience of facing challenges and prejudice as an immigrant in the US.

• She emphasizes the importance of immigrants' votes, voices, and unique perspectives in strengthening American democracy and achieving more diverse and representative leadership.