By: Mark Johnson
In a moment that resonated deeply within our family, my 5-year-old daughter, Lily, expressed her desire to embody a female presidential candidate for Halloween this year. My partner, Sarah, and I embraced her enthusiasm by dressing up as Secret Service agents to accompany her during our neighborhood festivities. I even went so far as to shave for the occasion!
Initially, I had no intention of sharing this heartwarming image publicly. Despite my knack for crafting amusing family photos for social media, this one was meant to remain a cherished private memory — a snapshot of a significant milestone in our daughter’s life.
Lily’s fascination with the idea of a woman leading our nation sparked months earlier when her pre-K class learned that no woman had ever held the presidency. To my surprise, her entire class, both girls and boys, were genuinely puzzled by this revelation; it had never crossed their minds that a female president was a possibility. That day, Lily returned home with a burning question: “Daddy, who are you voting for?”
With just two weeks to go until the primary elections, I was taken aback. My partner and I had never broached the topic of the election with her, yet here she was, eagerly awaiting my answer. “Well, who do you think I should vote for?” I asked, curious about her perspective.
“Hillary! Hillary Clinton! Please, please vote for her!” she exclaimed.
“Why Hillary?” I inquired.
“Because she’ll be the first girl president! You have to vote for her!”
“Alright, we’ll see,” I replied, offering my usual dad response.
In that moment, I felt a twinge of envy for Lily’s innocent viewpoint on the election. It was clear she hadn’t been influenced by the negativity often found on social media. She was blissfully unaware of the criticisms surrounding Hillary’s past decisions or the various controversies that had shadowed her career.
Five-year-olds often voice grievances about fairness, yet their complaints usually revolve around trivial matters. I can’t help but wonder how Lily will react when she eventually discovers the real injustices in the world. Will she become disillusioned and cynical? Or will she remain empathetic and aware of the disparities around her? Only time will tell, but right now, it’s refreshing to see the world through her untainted eyes.
Alongside my envy was an overwhelming sense of pride. Lily had recently learned a troubling aspect of American history, and her instinct was to take action rather than succumb to despair. Months have passed since that lesson, and her enthusiasm remains undiminished. She has questioned every family member about their voting intentions and has even engaged adults in conversations about the election, undeterred by the responses she received.
I consider myself politically independent, but living in a predominantly Democratic state meant that my vote was crucial. On primary day, Lily spotted my “I Voted” sticker and eagerly asked who I had chosen.
“Who do you think I voted for?” I teased.
“Was it Hillary?” she asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.
I nodded, and she embraced me fiercely. “Thank you, Daddy! I just know she’s going to win!”
At that moment, I felt an unexpected sense of pride in my vote, realizing that Lily’s simplistic view of politics was the positive lens I needed during a tumultuous election season. Her unwavering support has been a rare bright spot amid the overwhelming negativity that defines political discourse today.
I initially planned to keep the image for our family’s enjoyment, but after sharing it with friends and receiving their uplifting responses, I felt compelled to share it more widely. If this little moment of joy could counteract even a fraction of the negativity plaguing social media, then perhaps it was worth it.
Yet, as I prepared to share our story, I felt a tinge of fear. The current climate is rife with vitriol, and I’ve seen how trolls can viciously attack those who voice differing opinions. It’s disheartening to think that my pride in Lily’s innocent stance might invite hostility.
To gauge her feelings, I asked Lily what she thought about posting the image. I explained that it might make some people happy, but others might say hurtful things.
“Why would they do that?” she asked, puzzled. “That’s just mean.”
“I know, but it’s happening a lot right now. People are being really unkind to each other,” I explained.
After a moment of silence, I asked if we should go ahead and share it anyway.
“Who cares?” she replied boldly. “I want people to see it.”
In that moment, I was filled with love for my daughter. She inspires me and fills me with hope. This election, I’m standing with her.
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In summary, Lily’s innocent perspective on the election serves as a reminder of the hope and positivity that can emerge from the chaos of political discourse. Her unwavering support for a female candidate not only inspires our family but also encourages a broader dialogue about gender and leadership in our society.
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