arc2ca

everyone else is wrong

[Adam Mockler @adammocklerr]

My grandpa came here from Syria when he was 19 years old to attend college. He came with nothing, lived in a small apartment with his family, and spent his life building a business that now employs dozens of people and helps thousands of clients.

My mom had me at 15 years old. It wasn't an easy journey for my parents, but my mom went on to get a PhD in I/O Psychology, studying discrimination against mothers and caregivers, commuting long hours while raising me. She now owns her own leadership consulting business.

The only reason I am where I am today is because of the beauty of America. My family was able to immigrate, create a community, and build something from nothing.

My uncle was diagnosed with a rare disease at 22 years old and was told he didn’t have much time left. The Affordable Care Act saved his life by allowing him to have an incredibly expensive experimental treatment and his impact on me shows in my content everyday. He's 35 now.

My mom went from being a teenage mom to having a PhD. My grandpa went from being intimidated by the country to making it better through work ethic and dedication. My uncle was able to get a life-saving treatment because of access to healthcare. And this is only the half of it.

This is the American dream. I am so sickened and infuriated by the constant erasure of what makes America great; opting for villianization of immigrants, demonization of social safety nets, constant hatred and belittling and stereotyping of everyone who looks different.