In 2014, my precious daughter Elouisa passed away in my arms, a moment that irrevocably altered my life. Some weeks later, my husband helped me articulate a peculiar outcome of our grief: we developed a fearlessness. No event could compare to the devastation of losing Elouisa, and thus our new existence felt like a chance to live more boldly. Amid the turmoil of a broken heart, we discovered a profound absence of fear, replaced instead by a daring hope.
This sense of courage stayed with me until I observed Donald Trump ascend to the Republican presidential nomination. His rhetoric filled me with dread—the hate and vitriol at the core of his messages, the vacuity of his policies, and his self-serving pursuit of power. I was appalled by the normalization of hate speech permeating U.S. political dialogue. From my vantage point in Amsterdam, where I have seen similar forces at play in political movements across Europe, Trump’s rise feels hauntingly reminiscent of the 1930s.
Amsterdam has witnessed its share of lost daughters. Following Elouisa’s passing, I began volunteering at the Anne Frank House, where the lessons of Anne’s life shed light on the enduring nature of persecution and the roles of victims, perpetrators, helpers, and bystanders that persist in society.
Beyond differing policy priorities, this election starkly contrasts the humanity of the candidates. While I cannot ascertain whether Donald Trump is a genuinely altruistic person or merely playing a role designed to boost his ratings and profits, I do know, as Michael Bloomberg emphasized, that the president must govern based on reality, not reality television. In contrast, Hillary Clinton embodies generosity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to action.
I’m sharing an email from Hillary because I refuse to be a bystander myself. I hope the convention addressed her perceived “likeability” challenge, a gap that Ezra Klein has noted between how those who know Hillary view her and how the public does. I’ve had the honor of knowing Hillary for 18 years, primarily through her daughter, my dear friend, Lila.
When Lila introduced her “wonderful, thoughtful, and witty mother” at the convention, she noted that Hillary perseveres through “the noise and chaos of politics” because “she never forgets who she champions.” Lila often says that their family motto is “get caught trying.”
What speaks volumes about a person are their values, particularly in their family. It was both humbling and touching when Lila left her 9-week-old daughter for the first time to be with me at our daughter’s memorial service. Just before she arrived, I received the following message:
SUBJECT: My Deepest Condolences
Dear Mattie,
When Lila comes to support you, she’ll carry my love and encouragement for you, your husband, and son as you navigate this difficult time. If there’s anything I can do to help, please reach out, my friend. Love, Hillary.
I have endless stories that illustrate Hillary’s authenticity, compassion, and resilience under relentless critique. Yet, her words in this email reveal more about her character than any story I could tell. The Clintons are not passive observers. They take action. They genuinely care. Especially Hillary.
Let’s not allow external influences to disrupt our electoral process further and instead focus on the qualities we desire in our leader—intelligence, compassion, integrity, and perseverance. Only one candidate exemplifies those traits.
Hillary Clinton for president.
This article was originally published on August 17, 2016.
In summary, the essence of a person is often reflected in their actions and the values they uphold, especially in times of hardship. Hillary Clinton’s character shines through her compassionate responses and dedication to her family and community. As we navigate the complexities of our political landscape, it’s essential to prioritize leaders who embody integrity and empathy, ensuring that we choose a commander-in-chief who truly cares for the people.