Comments on: Why I vote

By: Ennis

Ennis — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:40:07 +0000

From what I understand, practical and immigration/paperwork concerns drive most to file for citizenship, not any particular love for this country.

When I was 11, my parents were still planning to return to India. In the end, we didn't, largely because the family felt far more Indian than American.

Practical and immigration paperwork concerns tipped the balance, yes. It's not easy for people who are strongly patriotic about India to give up their citizenship there. If there had been the possibility of dual citizenship, they would have felt differently.

By: oruvan

oruvan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:31:58 +0000

For me, this clarified the bit about people's motivation for a naturalized citizenship.

When I was around 11, my father became a citizen so that he could sponsor his parents to come and live with us.

Then my grandfather became a citizen, so he could sponsor my aunt to come to America.

My mother became an American citizen after I became 18. My father had arrived in the US during the Vietnam war, and they had agreed that one of them would retain their Indian citizenship in case I needed to escape a draft! I

From what I understand, practical and immigration/paperwork concerns drive most to file for citizenship, not any particular love for this country. Maybe the country does not expect any more than that from the people that it treats as a high-income workforce that does nt have to be brought-up or educated, much like having a child of yours potty trained by the time you have him/her..

By: Kristin Kaur

Kristin Kaur — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:06:39 +0000

Ennis- Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story with all of us. It bought back few memories for me. I too had to teach English to my dad so that he can pass his US citizen interview. Waiting for your post about Grand Park. Thanks.

By: Ennis

Ennis — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:05:43 +0000

I was in Grant Park last night, will try to post about it tonight.

By: Parul

Parul — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:42:49 +0000

I voted yesterday in Chicago and took my 2 children aged 8 and 4 with me. I was tearing up and I think my kids were a bit surprised that this experience was so emotional for me. I kept telling them that this is a privelege and an honor to not only vote, but to vote for someone that you truly believe will make their lives better. I wore my “I voted” sticker with pride as did my kids. I hope that this experience will always stay with them and that they will always cherish this right to vote and understand the seriousness and significance of their own votes in the future.

By: Amitabh

Amitabh — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:17:48 +0000

Didn’t HMF say he’d eat his socks and stop crying about racism all the time if Obama won? Where has HMF slunk off to in this historic moment? HMF, EAT YOUR HEART OUT!

By: lifelong

lifelong — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:35:26 +0000

LOL @44

My kids if say "yes we can OBAMA" (They are 2 and 3, it's cute, trust me).

By: doo-dah

doo-dah — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:56:31 +0000

Nice story. It is stories like these that have messed up the lives of recent immigrants(DBDs). Chain migration at its finest. Don’t let Lou Dobbs read this story. His head might explode.

By: my_dog_jagat

my_dog_jagat — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:51:56 +0000

Ennis–I loved your story which I read yesterday. And now this great election news. Maybe I can start thinking of returning to America. The last eight years were truly terrible.

By: chicagodesidiva

chicagodesidiva — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:13:07 +0000

Ennis – BEAUTIFUL story. Would that we all took voting so seriously.

As a Chicagoan, a Desi, and a Diva – I am so goddamn proud of my country that Obama is our President-Elect. We’re on the way.