Curtis Webley | Non-voting Jamaican immigrants a detriment to US democracy

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with thousands of Jamaicans in various capacities, including but not limited to accounting, immigration, philanthropic, and other social services.

I must admit that most of them displayed a resilience to obtain and secure their permanent resident status, popularly known as a Green Card, and others went even further to become citizens of the United States of America. But what is the purpose of securing permanent resident statuses or becoming citizens if we do not participate in the electoral process?

Jamaicans always have a reason for not becoming citizens of the United States and participate in the voting process. I have dialogued with and tried to persuade thousands of them to become citizens and vote in local, mid-term, and general elections.

Some reasoned that politicians will do nothing for them; while others argued that they will be returning home once they acquire financial wealth and build their homes in Jamaica. However, 50 or more years later most remain in the US, contributing nothing other than being a detriment to the country’s democracy while reaping the benefits of governmental programmes that citizens voted to accomplish.

STILL HAVE THE PRIVILEGE

The fact is, Jamaicans who gain citizenship and permanent resident statuses in America can still have dual citizenship. Therefore, nothing is lost, and we are only depriving ourselves of the privilege and our inalienable right to vote so that we can secure the same or better opportunities for those who come after us.

If we do not vote, we inadvertently surrender to the opposition by staying on the periphery; watching our adopted country being governed by bad or inferior politicians; aiding and abetting the atrocities of spiralling inequalities and injustices; and contributing to policies that will have permanent adverse effects on all minorities, including ourselves and our children.

This lack of knowledge is consistent with our attitude of obsequiousness, the mentality of individual entitlement, and the disrespect to the American trailblazers who made it possible for us to immigrate and participate in a government that was set up by and for the people it serves. Unfortunately, those who have the most to lose are us immigrants who do not participate in elections.

WHY WE VOTE

Voting in any democratic country – Adult Suffrage – is our inalienable right, irrespective of gender, race, social status, and wealth. It is the foundation of our democracy, and countless leaders, heroes, and ordinary citizens have paid the ultimate price, to ensure that every individual maintains that munity and continued freedom and protection.

We vote to make our voices heard, protect our rights and liberties as individuals, and hold our leaders accountable. We vote to secure and protect the benefits that cities, states, and federal governmental programmes provide and that we have become accustomed to receiving. These programmes include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that provides food purchasing assistance to low-and no-income people; housing assistance; utility, welfare, health programmes; women’s reproductive rights, equity in education, proper policing, and more favourable immigration policies.

We vote for child tax, dependent care, and earned income tax credits that most of us received and enjoyed when we file our annual income tax returns. These are only a few of the many benefits we obtain by casting our ballots in a country we care so much about but remain disengaged.

WE HAVE AN INHERENT OBLIGATION

I am aware that we as Jamaicans alienate ourselves with a self-perpetuating disenfranchisement from the American political system. We settled for naivety and created a gasconading fraternity of pluralistic election deterrence while we continue to remain uninformed, disinformed, and misinformed. But the struggles facing the American democracy are real, and current surges of voters’ suppression, polling stations closures in minority communities, gerrymandering, and other unsurmountable challenges, add credence to the precarious political quagmire that will affect us.

Therefore, if we refuse to participate in any election, or secure citizenship for the privilege of voting, might as well we immigrate to countries with an authoritarian regime – American is on the cusp – or a communist country such as Russia, China, Cuba, or others where our votes do not matter. This way, we will have a president for life and a political dynasty that will dictate our movements, promote further racial discrimination, propagate inequalities, eliminate social programmes, and reduce our morales and human dignity to mere servitude.

We cannot stay home and watch undeserving political leaders being elected by the citizens who do not vote.

Jamaicans, like many others, immigrate to America seeking a better life. We go to school, maintain jobs, operate businesses, support our families, harness a higher standard of living, and even contribute to the Jamaican economy with our remittances. This better life, however, comes with an inherent obligation that eludes most of us, the ability to become citizens and vote in elections.

If we continue to take our democracy for granted and do not exercise the right to vote for what we believe in, the America we cherished will become a silhouette in our rearview mirrors.

Dr Curtis Webley, PhD, CPA, is an entrepreneur in Chicago, Illinois. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com