On being

We do this not because is easy, but because we thought it would be easy

When I tell someone I’m undocumented, and they respond with a hearty “Hell yeah!” it makes me smile. It means they get it. It’s not about sidestepping reality but embracing it with pride, humor, and ganas.

I’m not a unique case. Many refugees and undocumented people didn’t cross deserts or swim rivers; they landed comfortably on a plane, visa in hand, and, for one reason or another, entered a state of limbo—overstaying, missing deadlines, and falling through bureaucratic cracks. Pero sí, I chose to come in an intentionally challenging way. No government, no border, no red tape was going to dictate where I could be or what I could do.

La vida no es solo blanco y negro; es un sancocho messy, full of flavors and contradictions. I grew up in a city that was a mosaic of art, music, and community, shadowed by narcos, sicarios y corrupción. I’ve stood in war zones, earned medals from governments, experienced military training, and shared moments with people society overlooks. I’ve smoked and talked about life with folks on the street and volunteered with undocumented communities in the U.S., finding home in the resilience of others.

Mis panas, the ones who’ll drop everything to show up, who’ll share the little they have, are other immigrants and undocumented folks. These friendships—this chosen family—has taught me that while our status may complicate things, it does not shrink our dreams or dim our determination. We share an understanding: *pa’lante siempre*, no matter what.

It’s true, the election results may be in by the time you read this. But whoever won doesn’t change the reality for millions of undocumented people. It doesn’t make it easier for those waiting endlessly in visa lines or those who dream of visiting Nueva York por primera vez. Voting is a start, but we need more. Real change means nurturing our local communities and hatching ambitious plans to shift systems and build better conditions for everyone.

Our cells evolve through biological exchange, and our societies evolve through cultural and intellectual exchange. Así es como crecemos, como artistas, ingenieros, filósofos. The French helped us break from Spain and brought us *le droit politique*, American movies fuel our cineastas, and Nueva York nos regaló la salsa.

So be one of those people who leans into abundance, who opens their door and invites the world in. Call things by their name, not to settle but to inspire action. Because when we’re done with our plan, political parties won’t even matter. We’ll have created something better, algo que vale la pena, for all of us.

I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

--- Gandalf