The sacrifices that Becky G’s grandparents made when they migrated from Mexico to the United States have not been lost on the young star.
In a new video for Vevo’s “Why I Vote” campaign, the 19-year-old singer, whose given name is Rebecca Gomez, describes how her grandparents’ pasts have shaped everything from her work ethic to her outlook on life and her desire to rock the vote this November.
“If I look at the American dream of my grandparents, it was simply just for wanting a better life for their families,” she explains in the video, posted Oct. 21. “For a better education, for better job opportunities, for a safer way of living. If it weren’t for them and their bravery, I would not be where I am today.”
The “Sola” singer is joined by her maternal and paternal grandparents, each of whom briefly describes their motivation for migrating to the U.S. and the difficulties that they endured during their individual journeys.
“We came, well I did, because of necessity,” explains Becky’s maternal grandfather, Angel Esquivias, who migrated to the U.S. for the first time in 1966, in the trunk of a car. “Because I was hungry. Because there was so much poverty in my home. So I told them I am going to go to the United States to help everyone.”
The star’s paternal grandmother, Cruzcita Gomez, recalls having a difficult time crossing into the U.S. “[T]hey grabbed me right away,” she explains. “They sent me back. My kids were already here and I was over there, until the following day I was able to cross.”
Becky says in the video that she is “very lucky and very blessed” that her grandparents survived their journeys to the U.S. and that her family is in tact. However, she notes that many people today aren’t as fortunate.
“So many people are just coming here to better their lives or even to just stay alive, from different parts of the world, and to follow their dreams,” she explains. “And the idea of that being taken away from people, families being torn apart ― and I’ve seen it happen ― it breaks my heart.”
It’s with all of this in mind that the singer says she’s going to the polls in November.
“The immigration system can be bettered or a bit more efficient or more effective for more people ― all those things factor into why I’m voting,” she continues.
The California native encourages others to join her.
“To make a change, we have to really be aware and not be afraid to speak up,” Becky explains. “It’s one thing to tweet about it, but it’s another thing to go and register to vote and actually use your voice,” .
She concludes: “My name is Rebecca Gomez, and I vote for families to stay together and for people to be allowed to follow their dreams.”
To learn more about the singer’s family, watch the the video above.
Before You Go
