Letters from Readers
Vote for KAMALA HARRIS to save democracy and the rule of law!
For years I have had veneration for my Indian parents and my aunties and uncles for their incredible resilience, strength, and courage. They left everything behind and moved to a foreign country to have a better life for themselves, their families, and their future children.
They endured racism, loneliness, judgment, alienation—and yet they persevered and built their homes here. The America they moved to in the 1970s was by no means perfect. However, it was a country that held the promise of freedom and opportunity. Here they built beautiful communities with deep friendships. I grew up learning their stories and being instilled with the values of caring for elders, respecting our communities, and treating others with respect.
That is why it’s such a shock to see some of those same Indians now voting for a country where their children are denied reproductive rights, are robbed of religious freedoms, have had environmental protections gutted, Social Security benefits threatened, and racism and bigotry celebrated.
All the result of a Trump presidency, this will only get worse under a second Trump presidency backed by Project 2025’s Christian-nationalist policies. Have they forgotten what it was like to be teased and attacked for wearing their saris and turbans? Have they forgotten the pain of alienation? Have they forgotten that they moved here to create better lives for their children?
If they have it in their hearts to remember why they moved here, it’s not too late to take a stand. Either they can tear down everything they worked so hard for by voting for the worst parts of our country in Donald Trump or they can vote for Kamala Harris whose platform is based on restoring the country which they moved here for. As Kamala Harris said, “The American dream belongs to all of us.”
Sona Sood
Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Fellow Desis: November 5th is less than a month away, and we have a lot at stake in its outcome. I came to this country as a 21-year-old and was afforded the finest of higher education opportunities. Following that I had a long and meaningful career in healthcare and hospital administration. At every step of the way, I was never challenged about my national origin, the color of my skin, or my religion. I believe that this is true of most of our desi community.
Donald Trump and his MAGA followers and the infamous Project 2025 could potentially stifle any future contributions that our community could make to the nation by negatively impacting immigration. During his time in office, Trump spoke about the possibility of “denaturalizing” naturalized citizens for reasons that were obscure. Stephen Miller—remember that name?—was one of Trump’s most trusted advisors on immigration policy. He has a well-known hatred of anyone who is non-white—i.e., people who look like you and me! He was and will again be the architect of restricting every type of legal immigration imaginable.
There are numerous other reasons to vote against a second term for Donald Trump: protecting women’s rights and voting rights, saving healthcare and stopping gun violence, amongst others.
The choice is clear: Kamala Devi Harris and Tim Walz as the Democratic nominees for President and Vice President will respect our community and all for which we stand. Freedom and Democracy!
So, my plea to you, my fellow desis, is to please VOTE for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on November 5th so that we can continue to contribute to this country and be seen as citizens who stand for democratic values and the rule of law.
Revathi A-Davidson
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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