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About Tanjina
I am a first-generation immigrant born in Bangladesh. My family and I relocated to Georgia from Bangladesh in 2003 in pursuit of a world-class education and an improved quality of life. Since that time, I have regarded Georgia as my home. My family encountered firsthand the difficulties associated with beginning afresh in Georgia. My life has been shaped by perseverance, as my mother worked in local service occupations and my father held clerical positions, all while instilling in us the robust values of diligence, education, and community solidarity.
Platform
Healthcare is a Basic Human Right, not a Privilege
I experienced a severe health condition resulting from a herniated disc. I was profoundly distressed and concerned about my ability to cover the associated medical expenses. I lacked any health insurance coverage. I only sought medical attention when my condition deteriorated sufficiently to require emergency room admission. Fortunately, the provisions of the Affordable Care Act addressed my health and mental health concerns.
Numerous working-class families encounter persistent healthcare challenges characterized by fear, sacrifice, and unpredictability. Despite dedicating extensive hours and effort, they remain vulnerable to financial distress caused by illness, not because of resilience, but due to systemic neglect of their well-being. Parents delay doctor visits to afford food, children miss preventive care, and the elderly ration medication to stretch limited incomes. Insurance costs and unexpected bills burden struggling families, forcing them to choose between maintaining their health and achieving financial stability.
Ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare in Georgia ensures that every family can seek medical care without worrying about financial hardship. It is a commitment that healthcare and dignity shall never be contingent upon the magnitude of one's income. We must have a single-payer, public healthcare system, akin to Medicare for All, which guarantees healthcare coverage to all individuals.
Empowering Every Mind and Uplifting our Future
My uncle relocated here in 1975 to pursue his Doctoral studies in Physics from Bangladesh. My mother was the first woman in the family to obtain her Master’s degree in Bangla Literature. Subsequently, my other uncles followed suit and migrated to the United States for higher education. Education holds a fundamental significance for my family.
Education serves as a fundamental equalizer, unlocking opportunities previously inaccessible to working-class families. Acquiring knowledge accompanies opportunities, challenges, and the development of a brighter, more secure future for subsequent generations. As a teacher and doctoral student, I’m a steadfast advocate for literacy, believing that every child deserves the tools to read, dream, and succeed. Our educators are often undervalued. Allocating resources to education transcends mere policy decisions; it constitutes a moral obligation.
For Georgia to achieve prosperity, we must allocate sufficient funding to our educational institutions, support and elevate our teachers, and guarantee that every student, irrespective of zip code, race, religion, or disability, is provided with equitable opportunities for success.
Building Prosperity Together for All, Not Just for Some
As a full-time student and immigrant, my initial employment at a McDonald’s drive-thru earned a minimum wage of $7.00 per hour. My parents were employed at a retail store, receiving the same minimum wage. We recognize the significance of financial stability. This narrative extends beyond our personal experience, reflecting the story of working-class Georgians.
Working-class families in Georgia are compelled to make untenable decisions between medicine and rent, gas and groceries, childcare and secondary employment. Without improved compensation, diligent parents find themselves trapped in recurring cycles of debt, fatigue, and insecurity, despite their relentless contributions to the economy. Aspirations such as homeownership, higher education for their children, or even a peaceful weekend remain unattainable, not due to a lack of effort but due to unjust remuneration.
We require an economy that benefits all individuals, not solely the top 1% and major corporations. We must raise the minimum wage to uplift working-class families in Georgia by ensuring fair pay that keeps pace with the rising cost of living. It affirms the dignity of labor, helping parents put food on the table, keep the lights on, and build a future where every child can thrive.
Fight for the Future Meets the Rights to Breathe
In recent years, Georgia has faced significant challenges related to climate change, including record flooding, devastating hurricanes, and severe forest fires that have dispersed smoke across the state. These toxic chemicals, released by oil and gas companies, are contaminating our environment.
Georgia experiences a growing volume of traffic, consequently rendering daily commutes exhausting due to prolonged periods of congestion. We need to reduce carbon emissions and develop a greener Georgia. Gwinnett County has long been without MARTA, so expanding public transit is essential. During the snow apocalypse, our residence was stranded on the highway for several hours. We must ensure the implementation of appropriate equipment and safety measures to uphold the condition of our roads and highways during periods of uncertainty.
Investing in new parks and recreational spaces, as well as preserving Georgia's green areas, is also crucial. It is time to create a sustainable future in which our children and grandchildren can flourish.
Every Voice Matters, and Every Right is Protected
As an immigrant, a woman of color, and a Muslim, I have encountered adverse behavior and Islamophobia from others. I endured the pain of racism not merely in silence, but with resilience, confronting slurs and cruelty intended to diminish my inner strength. Nevertheless, with each hateful remark directed at me, I responded with dignity, steadfast in my refusal to be defined by ignorance.
We are a nation of immigrants united by shared principles of equality, opportunity, liberty, and justice. Gwinnett County, located in the State of Georgia, is recognized as one of the most diverse counties within the state. We have an incredible number of immigrants from all around the world who call Gwinnett their home. To fulfill America’s promise, we must persist in our efforts to attain liberty and justice for all.
We must cultivate trust among communities, law enforcement agencies, and government institutions, thereby promoting a safer and more equitable nation for future generations. Liberty and justice for all should be visible, audible, and safeguarded, regardless of race, gender, faith, or background. Every individual deserves a genuine opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Freedom and justice are rights that belong to everyone, not just a privilege for the few.
Protect Every Vote and Preserve Democracy
Our democratic system is currently under threat from Republican members who deny the fundamental right to suffrage and refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of our election outcomes. They have extended their assault from the Capitol to our electoral boards and judicial proceedings. The right to vote constitutes the cornerstone of our democratic governance.
Freedom begins at the ballot box. It is essential that we safeguard our voting rights and promote inclusive participation in decision-making processes. We should consider extending the early voting period to encompass a broader range of days and increasing the number of voting locations to alleviate long wait times. Additionally, expanding language resources is necessary to enhance the participation of our immigrant voters. Voting the power, so let no voice be silenced.