Finally, it’s over, and who knew the primary election for Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds would be a thing fraught with such drama and contention?
But the particulars of the election, the “whys” and the “whats” have been documented by local news, I’m not writing about that. Instead, I’d like to share the personal perspective of the husband of an immigrant who’s only been an American citizen for three years.
As the husband of an immigrant, and father to two children of an immigrant, I get a front-row seat to a version of that classic “American Dream,” the immigrant who comes to America looking to cash in on the promise of a better life.
I spent time in Kazakhstan (my wife’s birth country) meeting her family and, during that time, I got out and mixed it up with Kazakhs as much as I could. The younger generation either speaks English or wants to practice their English skills with Americans, and I spoke to older folks via my wife, the translator.
I can honestly tell you, the idealized version of our country is alive and well there, as I’m sure it is in many places around the world. They like us and often want to be like us. For many, we are still a beacon of hope and offer a better way of life.
My wife came here for that idealized version of us. Kazakhstan’s first president miraculously won every election for 30 straight years, an authoritarian regime. A government worker in Kazakhstan wanted a bribe to marry us – and then wanted us to pay a bribe to her friend as well. The police there are famous for having greasy palms. Graft and corruption are everywhere and there’s no confidence in the institutions. If you’re connected, you can beat someone to death and never see a jail cell. This is what my wife left behind.
The hardest part for me, during the primary election here, was when my wife’s belief in our country and its system of fairness was shaken, and she doubted the dream. It was painful to witness her disillusionment.
Our country has become cynical and polarized. I must admit I’m a bit cynical myself, but I gain hope and am inspired by her vision of what we are supposed to be, and what we promise immigrants.
For the election we participated in, the perception of fairness was as important as winning and, in the end, her faith in us was restored – not by an election victory, but by a fair election.
I continue to be inspired by her faith in our country, and buoyed by her optimism in us, an “US” she is now part of and, if you meet her, I invite you to get to know her and her story. She is remarkable.
I am privileged to be part of her story, her American story.
Thanks to the faithful who supported us. We do not take your trust lightly.