Many years ago, during a presidential election, I sat on the front steps of our house, enjoying the cool summer breeze. (Our underprivileged Mexican American family lived in an impoverished neighborhood in a house that didn’t have central air and heat.)

One evening, while Mom took care of the dinner dishes with my older sister’s help, my self-employed Dad rested, after a hard day’s work, and watched the Republican convention in the living room. As Republicans voiced their opinions about the Democrats, Dad displayed his annoyance with the current administration by yelling at the TV set, “We need a Democratic president!” I had no idea why Dad was so troubled. After all, we were fortunate to live in a democratic country, the USA.

As the years went by, I always got into some serious discussions with my oldest brother. I don’t remember the specific quarrel, but I never forgot hollering, “I have rights!”

“Rights?!” My brother responded. “You don’t have any rights!”

A teenager at the time, I did not have a retort, so I let the discussion terminate.

My dear brother passed away October 6, 2016. I miss him a lot. I wish he were here to argue with me about the coronavirus pandemic and the 2020 presidential election.

I am older now and realize that I do have rights, especially the right to vote which I just exercised. My husband and I voted by mail early last week. Dear readers, please vote. Together, we can improve our nation. Please vote and pray that our country will again make us proud to be called Americans.