The years that have followed 2016 have been tearing away at the American faade of equality and freedom. Behind the mask we see a machine that is operating just as it was designed: perpetuating systemic racism, genocide, and all the varied forms of intersecting oppressions needed to keep white supremacy intact. America has always been this way, but since the 2016 election I have felt increased levels of shame, fear, and detachment associated with the idea of America as my country and my home.

I have felt the past four years in body through increased levels of anxiety and exhaustion. I have felt this anxiety as the daughter of a Muslim immigrant to this country. As a woman knowing her President takes pride in the sexual assault and violence he perpetuates. As an early professional carrying the burden of student debt. As a steward of community archives and working with immigrant communities who cannot rest because they are constantly fighting for belonging in this country.

As this election cycle converges with both a global pandemic and a national movement against racial violence, the mobilization of our Asian American communities in racial solidarity with other Black, Indigenous, and other people of color is critical in this moment. As the fastest growing population in the U.S., Asian Americans have demonstrated growing enthusiasm for voter engagement, which has been the result of a long legacy of Asian American activism and interethnic organizing. 100 years from now I hope we can learn from all of the Zoom teach-ins, solidarity workshops, mutual aid support networks, phone drives, language access advocacy work, and other resources that have played a pivotal role in getting our communities of color to the polls.

While immigrants and other communities of color seem to be perpetually under siege during this current presidency, I find hope in resiliency of Black, Brown and other immigrant communities. At this moment I can feel an increased consciousness around concepts such as Black liberation, abolition, mutual aid, and dismantling the white supremacy our country was founded on. I sense a stronger solidarity between communities of color and an investment in a critical reexamination of the histories we have been taught. We are learning how to talk to our parents and loved ones. We are not remaining silent. Despite the outcome of this election, we will need to stay vigilant and connected with one another to really build the systems we need to all feel free. I remain hopeful that we can.