A colleague, we’ll call her Lavenda here, complained a few years ago about the decisions in politics. She mentions comprehensible examples where she would decide differently.

I realized in her stories how much the whole thing means to her and what moves her.

Lavenda, about 10 years older than me, immigrated to Germany and feels part of the community. Her son and daughter were born here and are now adults.

I ask her directly after listening to her: “And did you on Sunday
because we exchanged ideas shortly after election day.

Lavenda: “Ah no, my children voted.”

“Can you vote?” I ask, just to be sure. Lavenda says: “Yes, but…”

I also asked her why she doesn’t exercise her rights to help shape things herself. At the end, she says, “That’s a good point, Susan.”

There are them, the Lavendas, who are not aware that they can also influence a lot. And that’s why I’m always grateful when we allow conversations and encourage each other, or when we’re willing to experience the other side of the story. Lavenda was not aware of how her “complaint” was received.

If I don’t even exercise my rights, what basis do I have to complain? – I ask myself again and again.

I would like to use this post especially to people with migration stories
Encourage people to vote – whether you’re already “home” or not. In accordance with
inSi e. V. : “In Singen, about 52% of the inhabitants have a migration background.” If “only” one in three of them is entitled to vote,
we increase the overall voter turnout rate.

The path to a German passport is a complex process, not only because of the
numerous proofs and visits to the authorities, but above all because emotional
decisions.

For those who used to give up their first citizenship as a prerequisite, this was even more complex. For me, the decision was not easy, as I also describe in my hashtag#Buch.

This makes it all the more important to exercise my right to vote and not just enjoy the freedom to travel with the beautiful passport.

Because integration is not a one-way street.

By the way: The fact that this pass is hashtag#rot (burgundy) was not a decision criterion for once:-)

I have a total of 35 votes today. How cool is that?

And you, are you going to vote today?