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- I'm so angry...
I'm so angry...
Lorena Banda
June 17, 2025
I had an entirely different newsletter written out, but I couldn’t keep writing it. My heart is heavy everyday. I cry almost every night. It’s hard for me to get on social media… While I know I have the privilege of being an American citizen, that is not the case for many others within my community. But we all know it’s not about being a citizen or undocumented. It’s not about being a criminal. It’s racism. La migra has had a heavy presence on the side of town I grew up in. A couple of weeks of ago as I was driving to my nephews 8th grade graduation, I saw ICE agents at the corner store. I wanted to pull over so badly to help whoever they were taking but I couldn’t. My parents were in the car and I wasn’t going to risk their safety.
I’m so fucking angry.
I went to the pulga a week ago with my childhood friend and we noticed how empty it was compared to before. Is this really what life has come to? I feel this pain, this hurt that doesn’t feel like mine but my parents'. I see them and I get this instant sadness and say to myself, “I’m so sorry for how the world has been so cruel to you.” To work so fucking hard each and every day with no sick days, no vacation, no help. It feels like my community can never catch a break. The systems in place were never there to help us, but to harm us. Because what do you mean that it takes 15 years for some to become citizens? What do you mean it costs $500 to renew a green card?
God, I’m so fucking angry.
My political journey began from a place of love and frustration. Because no one should be treated differently no matter where they come from, what language they speak, the color of their skin, their economic background. They say go to college and (white) society will see you as more palatable. “Mija you are not Mexican. You are American.” My dad believed that labeling myself as American would protect me but my name is LORENA RODRIGUEZ BANDA and I am so proud to look like my indigenous ancestors.
“Speak English, this is A m e r i c a.”
“They should have came here the right way.”
Dios mío, I’m so fucking angry.
Whatever you are feeling in this moment - it’s valid. Allow yourself to feel those emotions and rest. Don’t normalize ICE raids. Don’t quit on your community because that’s what they want. Échale ganas amiga y cuídate.
Con Amor,
Lorena
P.S. This also affects black immigrants. - Haitians, Jamaicans, Trini etc.
Resources:
@lorenarbanda YT Channel: LoveMeLorena #womeninpolitics #immigrantrights #womenempowerment
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