Proud of citizenship

The Spokesman-Review’s Oct. 29 article, “Many choose not to be citizens,” touched a nerve. I am a naturalized American citizen, and I reject the reasons offered for not wanting to become an American.

The five years I waited to qualify for citizenship was enough time to save to cover the cost of the process. It was sufficient time to learn enough of the language and to become acquainted with basic American history and Americana.

I have an accent, but I don’t consider myself second-class, and even when I knew only a few words and was working in a factory, I never considered myself second-class. I also never considered it as just a matter of convenience or an alternative to be American or not, or to hedge my bets because of other options.

For me and many others, it is the dream of a lifetime to come to America, a privilege worthy of risk and hardship to attain. For me, it was a need to join the American nation as quickly as possible, to have a stake in America’s future, to contribute together with millions of others to America’s greatness, and to see my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren living in freedom.

Halina Slobodow

Spokane