Will we choose unity or division?

By Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides

Today, as Americans head to the polls, I find myself reflecting on what my country means to me, even from my home here in Cyprus. I was born in Phoenix, Arizona (a largely Republican-leaning state then), to a Filipino mother and an American father with British roots, and lived most of my life in Los Angeles (a largely Democratic-leaning state). Both sides of my family came to America looking for a better life. It’s a story I share with so many people in the U.S. because let’s face it—almost all of us came from somewhere else. That diversity is what built America.

Watching from abroad, it’s heartbreaking to see how divided we’ve become—even among immigrant communities that have long shared a unique bond, like Greek Americans, Asian Americans, and Latin Americans. There’s so much fear and anger, and I can’t help but ask, how did we get here?

The fact that Donald Trump is again a serious candidate for president honestly feels surreal. This is a man whose past is riddled with business failures and scams. Take Trump University, where people spent thousands of dollars hoping to learn real estate and investing, only to be let down by high-pressure tactics and empty promises. Yet here he is, again, positioning himself as the candidate for “law and order.” It’s hard to take seriously from someone who has used his platform to break down legal norms rather than uphold them.  Yes, a Trump presidency could mean better relations with Russia, and he claims he’ll end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, potentially steering America toward a more isolationist stance. He has some points worth considering, but how can we trust him when he’s willing to cozy up to autocrats like Putin and Erdogan? 

Now, I’ve been a Democrat all my life, but that doesn’t mean I blindly vote for the party. I’ve supported Republicans in local and national races when I believed they were the better choice. I’ve always looked for candidates who represent issues that matter to me and who I believe will do a good job. Growing up, I trusted that our democratic process worked—that reaching out to my local representative could bring about positive change. That’s the heart of democracy, after all: coming together for the common good, no matter what side you’re on.

I do feel torn about some of the directions Democrats are taking these days. Yes, I can’t stand the “woke” agenda that sometimes pushes too far—over-inclusivity, in particular, seems to lack some of the limits I’d consider normal, though I know it’s not “woke” to say so. Maybe I’m just from a different time. But I also can’t stand xenophobia or racism. As someone who’s mixed-race, and with a daughter who’s even more so, these issues aren’t abstract to me. I know firsthand what a blended America can look like, and it’s something I value.

This year, my vote went to Kamala Harris, though I had to think about it. I understand the fears that Trump is tapping into. People worry that the “floodgates” are open and that immigrants are coming in without enough oversight. Crime is rising. But this isn’t unique to the U.S.—we see it all around the world, from England to Norway. What Trump is doing is playing on that fear. He says he’ll revive the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target immigrant gangs, but it’s clear this could lead to mass deportations, affecting people who came to America to escape hardship and violence. That’s not the country I believe in.

Remember the Statue of Liberty? “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” America was built on the dreams of immigrants, on the hard work of people seeking a fresh start. Turning our backs on that now would be a betrayal of everything we stand for.

So yes, I voted for Kamala, not because she’s a woman or because of any single issue, but because I believe she can bring us together. Michelle Obama recently reminded us of the importance of unity and responsibility—values that have helped America pull through tough times before. After WWII, after the Oklahoma City bombing, after Columbine, and even after 9/11, we came together. We set aside our differences to heal and rebuild.

America was once an example to the world—a place where people from all walks of life came together to build something greater than themselves. We can’t throw that away. I want my country to return to its roots, not out of nostalgia but because those values of unity, resilience, and compassion are what make America special.

As Americans cast their votes, I hope we all remember what’s really at stake. Let’s choose leaders who can help us heal, not divide us further.