As someone who values independent thinking and respects others’ political choices, I don’t typically feel compelled to publicly share my personal views on political choices-with few exceptions of course. However, given what’s at stake in next Tuesday’s elections, I feel a moral responsibility to speak up. This is far from a typical election—it’s a choice that will define the values, integrity, and future direction of this country. My goal in writing this piece is to offer a perspective that might give readers pause and thoughtful consideration as they head to the ballot box to make their choice for President.
I’m black, an immigrant, and a minority, and this election is deeply personal to me. I care not just about policies but about the soul of this nation—its values, integrity, and commitment to democracy. We find ourselves at a pivotal moment. While I respect political diversity and understand that reasonable people can disagree on policy, this election is different. Donald Trump is not just another candidate; he embodies a dangerous disregard for the principles that should define leadership— character, honesty, humility, and respect for the rule of law. To say that this election is consequential feels like an understatement. It is, quite literally, a referendum on what America stands for.
Trump’s threat to this nation is not just my opinion—it’s a warning from the people who worked closest to him. Multiple former high-ranking officials, including John Bolton, James Mattis, Mark Milley, William Barr, and John Kelly, have publicly criticized Trump and raised alarms about the danger he poses. Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis described him as a leader with a “dangerous lack of empathy” and an inability to unite the country. John Kelly, his former chief of staff, went further, calling him “the most flawed person” he’s ever known and warning that Trump is unfit for public office. Mark Esper, Trump’s former defense secretary, detailed in his memoir that Trump floated ideas of deploying the military against protesters and sought to undermine constitutional norms. These are not partisan attacks—they come from Republicans and military leaders who witnessed his recklessness firsthand. Their warnings carry weight: A second Trump presidency could endanger the republic itself.
As an immigrant, Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda has been deeply damaging, not just to immigrants but to the fabric of this nation. From the start of his political career, he labeled immigrants as “rapists” and “criminals,” setting a tone of fear and hatred. His administration pursued family separations, detaining children in cages and creating trauma that will last for generations. His Muslim travel ban further isolated immigrant communities and sent a chilling message that America is no longer a land of refuge. Additionally, Trump has repeatedly threatened to deport millions of undocumented immigrants should he be reelected, spreading fear in immigrant communities. Trump’s words and actions weaponized immigration policy, not as a tool for security, but as a tool to divide and scapegoat vulnerable populations.
Trump’s racially charged rhetoric polarized the nation and emboldened extremists. His response to the Charlottesville rally—saying there were “very fine people on both sides”— was a low point for presidential leadership. Hate groups, such as white nationalists and militias, felt empowered during his presidency, and the number of hate crimes increased. Trump referred to predominantly Black nations as “shithole countries” and suggested that four U.S. congresswomen of color should “go back” to where they came from. These statements are more than just words—they signal to marginalized communities that they don’t belong and embolden those who thrive on exclusion. America needs a leader who builds bridges, not walls—someone who embraces our diversity, not weaponizes it.
Recent incidents have further reinforced this divisive rhetoric. At this week’s Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, speakers denigrated Puerto Ricans, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that further marginalize an already vulnerable group. Trump has also recently made inflammatory comments suggesting that Haitian immigrants eat cats and dogs, invoking dehumanizing tropes that are deeply offensive and rooted in xenophobia. These kinds of statements do more than insult—they embolden extremist groups and normalize open racism. What was once veiled under the surface has become explicit under Trump’s leadership. With him back in office, far-right groups and individuals with racist ideologies are likely to feel empowered to act without fear of consequences. Hate, once subtle, could become more brazen and normalized, tearing at the social fabric of a diverse nation.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Trump’s presidency was his assault on democracy. His relentless lies about the 2020 election being stolen led directly to the January 6th insurrection, where a violent mob stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election. That moment exposed Trump’s complete disregard for the Constitution and the peaceful transfer of power—the cornerstone of American democracy. Even after the insurrection, Trump continued to spread baseless claims of voter fraud, undermining trust in future elections. A second Trump term could lead to even more severe attacks on democracy and potentially permanent damage to the constitutional order.
This election is not just a battle between political ideologies—it’s about the values that define us as a nation. Do we choose character and unity, or do we embrace chaos and division? Trump’s leadership has sown discord, stoked fear, and eroded trust in institutions that hold this country together. If we want a nation where everyone—regardless of race, religion, or origin—feels valued, we must reject leaders who divide and demean. To my friends and colleagues who are contemplating sitting out this election, voting for an alternate candidate, or prioritizing pocketbook issues over the broader implications—while I respect your right to choose, I urge you to reconsider what is truly at stake. This is no ordinary election. In many ways, it represents a crossroads for American democracy, and the consequences, should Trump be elected, will reverberate for generations.
A vote for Trump—or no vote at all—is a vote for division, fear, and instability. This is our moment to stand up for democracy, decency, and the future we want for ourselves and our children. We cannot afford to get this wrong.
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