I’ve lived in the United States for a very long time (since 1983). I’ve experienced this my entire time living here: being an “other.” And then there are the Americans who fear me, simply because of that. I am not what they consider to be “American,” despite the fact that I probably have more right to be there than they do.
I wasn’t born in a “scary” place. I was born in a place that doesn’t even exist anymore: West Germany. However, I’m not a “real” German. My background is rather complicated and difficult to explain. I think that’s why certain Americans freak out over someone like me. Not long after I was born, we lived in West Berlin, and then we lived briefly in London, England, before coming here.
Ever since 1983, Republicans have tried to claim that people like me aren’t American citizens. Despite the fact that I have a consular report from the US Department of State stating that I’m a US citizen born abroad, a US passport, a US Social Security number, and a mother who is a US citizen (my father was naturalized), that is not enough for the Republicans. It was because I was born somewhere else, that is the reason why I should not be allowed to be a US citizen. That is their flawed “logic.”
I could not have a consular report from the US Department of State stating that I’m a US citizen born abroad, a US passport, and a US Social Security number if I wasn’t a US citizen! These things aren't given to non-citizens. I know Republicans are absolutely ridiculous, but they’re really showing their stupidity here. I, and others like me, have been threatened by Republicans to be “deported” since they don’t think we’re citizens.
I know what’s going on here. It’s because people like me don’t fit their definition of an “American.” We’re not white (or white enough) for them. I am of mixed ethnicity. It’s hard to tell because I am very, very, very, very light-skinned, but once you look past how light my skin is, it becomes rather obvious that I’m not 100% European or white. In fact, “America” is supposed to be a melting pot, right? Then, I am truly an “American” since I am mixed with so many different backgrounds! I’m a melting pot within myself!
That’s not good enough, though. I am still an “other” to the white Americans who think I’ve somehow “tainted” the United States. And we’ve seen how Drumpf has unleashed the Gestapo on anyone he doesn’t think is a “citizen.” Yes, I’m extremely worried about this, and every day I live in fear, looking out the window when I’m in the house, looking over my shoulder when I’m outside, hoping that the Gestapo doesn’t show up. I have never carried my passport on me before this, but after the Gestapo was unleashed, I now carry my passport EVERYWHERE. I know that’s still not good enough for them (especially since my passport reflects a foreign country as my country of birth), but I am really doing all I can to protect myself.
Unfortunately, no one can protect me for being an “other.” And no one can protect me from the fear of the “other.”
Melodía