A Seat at the Table- Maia Albuquerque

A Seat at the Table

by: Maia Albuquerque  

Commander in Chief, 

                  I have faced a lot in my adolescent years. Being told I don't belong in this country or that I should speak English. People assuming I'm Mexican and should go back to Mexico. I have been isolated from my peers at school. My family has stories on top of stories of being discriminated. People have assumed that were illegal, asked about their immigration status,  uneducated couldn't afford a house in my neighborhood, or that they were the help. On multiple occasions you have said things that are insulting, demanding and belittling. Referring to Mexicans as bad hombres" or "drug dealers, criminals, rapists". And saying only some "are good". Generalizing a group of people all together with an inaccurate stereotype. In the last four years, everything has gotten worse. 

  I have been made to feel that I am less American than others, when I am just as American as anybody else. My sister and I have been born and raised in the United States, but we have been treated as if we don't belong here.  I should be proud to be the daughter of immigrants and the first generation American, but I am not treated as such.  You may say that I am just a kid, but should a kid be harassed for their race, should a kid feel unsafe at school?  I may look like a kid, but I have had to endure things you will never experience. I am not putting the blame on you because there is a chance you didn't know the implications of your actions. Maybe you didn't know that your words hurt.  But I thought you deserve the opportunity to learn from your past and make change in your future. 

 In my school, I have heard the stories of peers who are minorities who have experienced similar things as me, being stopped by the police because they looked suspicious or being pushed up against lockers and told to go back to another country. Or even being told that they are terrorists  and  pulling on their hijab. This is unacceptable. You can't tell me that its okay. I am not blaming you, but you are in a position of power and sitting letting this happen to children. Racism isn't born it is taught.  But not doing anything when you have the platform do so is baffling to me. Even myself, a young Latina in a predominately white neighborhood is doing everything in her power to try and bring awareness and change in my small town.  I have joined countless committees including Racial Equity Taskforce, C3 committee, Diversity club, GSA club and We are the Dream club which I started with the help of my teacher and a few of my peers to spread awareness about this issue.  I have joined committees and even started a club in my own school  where I have had the honor of speaking with world renowned professionals on this topic. You did not create racism, you are not encouraging it, but you need to do something. Make it known that racism is unacceptable , denounce white supremacy. Be an ally to minorities and accept everyone. America is a country made up of immigrants. That is what America started as. America is supposed to be a melting pot, but we are not all seen the same. A teacher once told me, America is not a melting pot, it is a tossed salad. You see everyones differences and they can be picked out, we won't be a melting pot until all people regardless of home of origin, race, ethnicity, color religion, sexuality or gender orientation all have the same respect. My ancestors came to this country for change and opportunity, same as yours. They came for the American dream. But is this the dream you want for your America?  I have faith in this America, my America, our America. Faith that we can make this a place we all have the same rights and treated with the same kindness and respect. 

The American dream shouldn't be to stay alive simply because you are being targeted and harassed by a society that thinks yours differences make you a threat. I want a seat at the table. A seat at the table where my little sister won't have to experience what I have. A seat at the table where I can get a platform to use my voice and advocate for minorities. A seat at the table where we can eradicate discrimination. I want an America where everyone is equal and being of color doesn't put a target on their backs .  An America full of different cultures and people, where everyone is accepted. The America that you said was great at some time. Because up until now, I have not experienced this so called American dream. We need to make this the America our ancestors came here for. We can do better, and we need to do better. I will not stop until this gets better. I want a seat at the table. 

Sincerely, 

Maia - Bonelli Albuquerque