In a House of Democrats who Cannot Vote, the One Person who Can, Might Vote for Trump

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(photo: Sara Monterroso) (Edits: Madison Aument)

Sara Monterroso

There’s a young man. He immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala, has lived in basements most of his life and his family is lower class. He grew up with four women and his whole family currently have jobs to maintain their household. Who do you think he’s voting for? I’m sure you’re confident about your answer, but keep reading.

A little background about my family: The Monterroso family which includes my mother, myself and three other siblings immigrated to the U.S. in March 2001. Since then, we’ve been able to obtain a semi-permanent residency here.

At 17 years old, my younger brother, Carlos Monterroso, was told that after all these years, his father was living in the United States, contrary to what my mother has told him in the past (which was absolutely no details about his father). On top of this surprising discovery, not only was he a citizen, he was also a white man residing in a southern state.

In a matter of months, my brother was able to obtain his citizenship as his father ‘claimed’ him as his son. One of the many rights that he has as a new citizen is the right to VOTE.

The election season quickly followed my brothers status change. A Monterroso could finally vote for the President of the U.S. and other important members of our government.

As you can probably imagine, in a household of immigrant-Latinos who struggle severely financially, the political party consensus in the family is staunchly democratic. We grew up very liberal, not even slightly leaning right. Though none of us can vote due to our status.

We expected that a Monterroso would be voting for the democratic nominee, whoever they ended up being. Oh, were we wrong.

After my brother explored his new family and his new identity, slowly he started to show signs that he was becoming more like them, politically. While his new family is amazing beyond words and holds most of our morals and values, their political views stand proudly on the right.

I can’t quite remember the moment he started to support Donald Trump, but I can recall a long argument we had a couple of months ago. In a matter for 60-80 minutes, we touched on everything from the economy to the black lives matter movement to immigration and of course, the epicenter of this discussion: the election.

(photo: Sara Monterroso) (Edits: Madison Aument)
The Monterroso Family circa 2006 (from left to right) Paula Monterroso, Sandra Monterroso, Carlos Monterroso, Priscilla Ruiz- Monterroso, and Sara Monterroso (photo: Sara Monterroso)
(Edits: Madison Aument)

We didn’t talk for at least a day and I replayed the scene in my head over and over again. How could people who were raised in the same household hold such different opinions? While I respect his opinions, I cannot agree with them.

I couldn’t grasp his logic behind any of his new found beliefs. How could someone who is (now was) an illegal immigrant, grew up poor, has been faced with racism and grew up with four women support Donald Trump?

Trump is the candidate who has shown opposition towards Latinos. He has bragged about his conquests with women and condones sexual harassment and assault. He also represents the 1% in the United States, living a lifestyle that most Americans can only dream of living.

I can state any opinion I have about Trump, but that’s not going to change my brother’s opinion about him. I had to come to terms with the fact that he might vote for Trump.

As Election Day grows closer and closer, I realized I didn’t even bother to ask my brother, in a calm, objective and respectful way, “Why do you like Trump?” So, I asked him.

He agrees with Trump’s decisions to cut taxes, the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, increasing border security, the elimination of common core in school and especially, cutting regulations that hurt small businesses.

He also believes that Trump can improve our economy and undoubtedly keep our country safe from terrorists and criminals.

Even though he supports Trump, he doesn’t neglect the fact that he has made mistakes in his campaign. “I know he’s said some pretty offensive, controversial things and I wasn’t happy at all when he was talking about women like that with Billy Bush but I still support him at the end of the day,” said Monterroso. “Clinton supporters can look past and forgive her for the email scandal, a crime she committed. So I feel you can still support a candidate even if you don’t agree with every single thing they do or say.”

Although I cannot agree with my brother’s choice in candidates, I have a great deal of respect for him for standing by his beliefs and exercising his first amendment rights.

We are bestowed with the luxury to have the freedom to vote for our country’s leaders and in the end, we all are aiming towards the same goal: electing a leader who will make our country a safe, free, just and peaceful place to live

“I plan to vote this year in hope that my vote will affect great change,” said Monterroso.

Monterroso encourages everyone who can vote, to vote. He also implores others to stand by their beliefs, even if they aren’t popular amongst your family, friends or community.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Look for a polling station near you and vote.