By Manolo Betancur / Photo: Andy McMillan
Open Letter to America
As an American citizen who believes that we must stop our nation’s division. As a person who believes that both parties are important in order to keep democracy alive. And as an immigrant in this beautiful nation. I feel I need to share what we experience in our daily lives.
We all agree that we need safe borders, and we all agree that we don’t want criminals on the streets. However, family separation is wrong, taking parents away from their kids is wrong, and disrespecting the Constitution is the beginning of the decline of any civil society.
As an American citizen
I wish I could celebrate these 250 years like you. I wish I could feel that I can believe in the due process. But daily, people like me are detained without warrants.
I wish I could believe it’s safe to drive around. But daily, people like me are pulled over based on their skin color.
I wish I could feel I can, I believe I have freedom of speech. But daily, people like me are taken away because of their accent.
I wish I could feel that I can believe in having the same rights under the Constitution. But daily, people like me have fewer rights based on their place of birth.
I wish I could feel welcome in this nation I love. But daily, people like me are taking away from their wives and kids.
I wish I could believe that I can believe in the president. But daily, people like me, who are not the worst, die in jails.
I wish I could believe that I can believe in Congress. But daily, people like me are less represented by them.
I wish I could feel that I can believe in the fairness of justice. But daily, people like me are taken to jails before they face the judge.
Finally, I wish I could keep believing in the pledge to the flag.
One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Happy 250th birthday, America
Manolo Betancur / Founder of By Immigrant Hands Nonprofit, CEO of Manolo´s Bakery.
