From an Un-REAL America: Today is a very big day in my life [View All]

[La Lioness Priyanka]

This morning I had to surrender my Indian Passport to the Indian Government. Its the first time I have applied for a visa to my country of birth, and for that I had to hand over my Indian Passport. It was a very strange and bitter sweet moment in my life. I panicked a little, as I feared a loss of identity. Then I realized something, I am an American.

I had accepted citizenship to the United STates in 2006. After Bush won the second time, I knew even if I lived in one of the bluest states I had to vote for the next election. America was increasingly becoming MY country, and no longer just the country I lived in.

It's a strange experience for an immigrant when they realize that the country they love, know and care for more is no longer their birth country. Yes, I still love India, but I know so much more of the nitty gritties of the political and cultural environment of the United States of America. I am so much more involved with the United States of America than I am with India. I am so much more invested in the United States of America than I am in India.

I have become an American. An American who will cast her first vote in a Presidential Election for Barack Obama.

People like Sarah Palin may not think I am a REAL American. I am not white. I wasn't born here. I don't live in a small town. I don't support fear-mongering greedy bigots.

But, I am an American and as an American, I am proud to vote for Barack Obama.