She became a U.S. citizen this year, and this is the first election she has ever been able to vote in. She was emotional about it, and as an immigrant myself, I understand exactly where she’s coming from. The first time I heard the national anthem at Yankee Stadium, I was bawling my eyes out. For most Americans, these moments are ordinary. They’re simply part of life. But for those of us who came here from somewhere else, they represent a dream, the culmination of a long and difficult journey. Too many Americans don’t realize how fortunate they are to have been born in this country. They take it for granted. I’m sharing her video as a reminder of how important it is to exercise your right to vote. Don’t let anyone convince you to sit this election out. I’ve seen it from both sides, but especially from right-wing pundits who get on camera, huff and puff about why they’re not voting, and then tell their audiences to do the same. My husband and I grew up on two different continents, and we’ve seen this movie before. Regardless of our political differences, we cannot afford to let communism and religious extremism gain a foothold in this country. Talk to immigrants like me who grew up under communist regimes or in societies governed by strict religious laws. Ask us why we came here. Our experiences can teach you things you’ll never find in a history textbook. Stop letting people silence you with accusations of racism, Islamophobia, Nazism, or xenophobia simply because you express concerns about your country’s future. Be proud of America. And be wary of people who praise the countries they fled while advocating for the very systems and policies that drove them away. I know that every election, someone claims it’s the most important one of our lifetimes. But every election matters because every election helps shape the country we leave to the next generation. If you care about the future of this country, make your voice heard. Vote for the candidates who will defend conservative and Christian values, the values that made this country a place people risk everything to reach. Don’t take this country for granted. Don’t take your right to vote for granted. And whatever you do, don’t sit this one out.