From an Un-REAL America: Today is a very big day in my life

[La Lioness Priyanka]

This morning I had to surrender my Indian Passport to the Indian Government. Its the first time I have applied for a visa to my country of birth, and for that I had to hand over my Indian Passport. It was a very strange and bitter sweet moment in my life. I panicked a little, as I feared a loss of identity. Then I realized something, I am an American.

I had accepted citizenship to the United STates in 2006. After Bush won the second time, I knew even if I lived in one of the bluest states I had to vote for the next election. America was increasingly becoming MY country, and no longer just the country I lived in.

It's a strange experience for an immigrant when they realize that the country they love, know and care for more is no longer their birth country. Yes, I still love India, but I know so much more of the nitty gritties of the political and cultural environment of the United States of America. I am so much more involved with the United States of America than I am with India. I am so much more invested in the United States of America than I am in India.

I have become an American. An American who will cast her first vote in a Presidential Election for Barack Obama.

People like Sarah Palin may not think I am a REAL American. I am not white. I wasn't born here. I don't live in a small town. I don't support fear-mongering greedy bigots.

But, I am an American and as an American, I am proud to vote for Barack Obama.

(Cross posting cos all my du friends are in the lounge:P)

[Redstone]

1. Good for you. What an inspiring post. I'm going to find your other post and recommend it.

Redstone

[La Lioness Priyanka]

3. thanks Redstone. Its in GD. how is your pain doing?

[Redstone]

9. I went there, recommended it, and asked other to do the same. Today is not a great day regarding

the pain, thank you so much for asking, but it's been quite good lately in general, and I've been able to work a lot the last few weeks.

Between the pain not being too bad, and my optimism for our country in this election, I'm pretty damn happy right now.

Again, great post. Mrs R hasn't gotten her citizenship yet (we're having some trouble with the application form), but she borrowed the "I voted" sticker they gave me at the polling place this morning to wear on her shirt while she's volunteering at the local soup kitchen. She's hoping that will inspire people to go vote themselves. And given that people tend to look at her chest area (you know how THAT feels, don't you?), they'll all notice the sticker.

Repeat after me: "President Obama." Feels good to say that, doesn't it?

Redstone

[BarenakedLady]

2. Woohoo

:patriot:

[NewJeffCT]

4. Nice post

It must be strange having to give up your passport. My wife is going to be able to apply for her citizenship around now as well, so she'll have to give up her passport eventually, too.

[Crazy Dave]

5. My fellow American

:hug:

It's something I don't know a lot about but I have heard people say they had dual citizenship.

Regardless, we're glad and so lucky to have you. Now go run for governor of NY :P

[PeaceNikki]

6. You are as REAL of an American as any of us.

You ARE the America we know and love. :patriot:

[Redstone]

10. Ain't THAT the truth!

Redstone

[Inchworm]

7. Aww

I love you!

:hug:

[dolo amber]

8. Go back to Russia, commie

;) :hug: :yourock:

[Haole Girl]

11. Your thread made me cry

In a good way, though. :cry:

[skygazer]

12. This is a great post, Pri

I've often thought about how it would feel to leave this country, the country of my birth and my family, and go somewhere else. I get really irritated at the anti-immigrant types because in my experience, immigrants are the ones who most appreciate what America has to offer. And they don't take anything - the good or the bad - for granted.

Yeah, Sarah Palin may not think you're a real American but then, she thinks dinosaurs and people inhabited the Earth at the same time so I wouldn't worry too much about her opinion because she's batshit crazy. :P

As for you, :yourock:

[sarge43]

13. Thank you, lionsspriyanka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaI5IRuS2aE

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. Pri...

:patriot:



:hug:

[Taverner]

15. Rawk on Miz LP!!!!

W00t!

[madeline_con]

16. "I am a REAL American"

Congratulations! YAY! :woohoo:

[Magrittes Pipe]

17. Good choice for your first presidential vote.

I like you, Pri. :patriot:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

20. i like you enough to make you my fb status message

:P

[JackBeck]

18. Wow.

It was a great feeling, wasn't it?

Thanks for sharing this.

K&R

[DarkTirade]

19. The only 'real americans' are Indians anyway. The other kind, but still. :)

This is my first time voting in this state. I hope we helped make it a little bluer. :)

[Burma Jones]

21. Speaking as someone whose parents' families have been here since the 1600s

I embrace your Citizenship and am so incredibly grateful that you and the other millions and millions (like my Father In Law) made that difficult decision, thanks for being one of us.........

Without the investment of you and all those people coming here, well, the whole world would be a far worse place.....

[ismnotwasm]

22. Cool

And, you're an American I've learned to admire in a electronic world. (rare for me)

Thank you
K&R

[BlueIris]

23. Awwww. Thanks for being here.

I hope this country will come to serve you as well as you serve it.

[AllegroRondo]

24. Thanks for everything!

America needs more proud immigrants like you. :)

[SacredCow]

25. And a damn good American!

:hug: