By: Sam Thompson
I had this lightbulb moment to create a fun family photo when my 5-year-old daughter, Lily, announced she wanted to dress up as Hillary Clinton for Halloween. My partner, Mia, and I decided to play along, donning our best Secret Service agent outfits to escort her through the neighborhood. I even went so far as to shave my beard for the occasion.
Originally, I aimed to keep this image within the confines of our family album. Despite earning a living by crafting playful family photos for social media, this snapshot, like the vast majority of my personal photography, was meant to be a private keepsake celebrating a pivotal moment in Lily’s life.
Lily’s fascination with Hillary began several months back when her pre-K class learned that no woman had ever been elected as President of the United States. The revelation baffled her entire class—boys and girls alike. Lily came home with laser-like focus, bursting with questions: “Daddy, who are you voting for President?”
Caught off guard, I realized we hadn’t even discussed the election with her. “Umm, who do you think I should vote for?”
“Vote for Hillary! She has to be the first Girl President!”
“Alright, we’ll see,” I replied, giving my typical dad response.
In that moment, I was struck with envy at her innocent perspective on the election. Clearly, she hadn’t been bogged down by the negativity swirling around social media. She didn’t seem to know—or care—about Hillary’s past votes or controversies. The simple notion of having a female president was enough to ignite her passion.
Five-year-olds often express discontent over what they perceive as unfairness, but it’s usually trivial stuff—like not getting cake for dinner. I often wonder how Lily will react when she truly grasps the unfairness that exists in the world. Will she become cynical? Will she understand her privileges and empathize with those who struggle? Only time will reveal who she’ll become, but for now, it’s refreshing to see the world through her untainted lens, especially when so many adults seem to be at odds with one another.
Alongside my envy, I felt immense pride in Lily’s response to what she learned about American history. Rather than feeling defeated, she was motivated to drive change. Months later, her enthusiasm remains unshakeable. She’s asked every grandparent about their voting choices and even engaged adults at a work dinner of Mia’s, undeterred by my warning that she might be in front of a tough crowd. Her tenacity leaves me in awe.
As a political independent in a predominantly Democratic state, I eventually cast my vote in the primary. When Lily spotted my “I Voted” sticker, she eagerly demanded to know my choice.
“Who do you think I voted for?” I teased.
“Was it Hillary?” she asked, eyes wide with excitement.
I nodded, and she enveloped me in a giant hug. “Thank you, Daddy! I just know she’s going to win!”
It was in that moment I realized my daughter’s optimistic view was a refreshing contrast to the otherwise exhausting political climate. Her unwavering support became a bright spot in what felt like a dark time.
I crafted the photo intending to keep it private, but after sharing it with a few friends, the positive reactions encouraged me to consider a wider audience. In a social media landscape flooded with negativity, if our family’s lighthearted take could bring even a few smiles, perhaps it was time to share it more broadly.
That said, I hesitated. The current political climate is fraught with negativity, and I’ve seen too many mean-spirited trolls attack anyone expressing views contrary to theirs, even targeting children. The thought of hateful comments about my idealistic daughter made me uneasy.
So, I asked Lily what she thought about sharing the photo. I explained that while it could make many people happy, it might also invite harsh criticism.
“Who cares?” she said. “I want people to see it.”
Her fearless response filled me with admiration. In this election season, I’m definitely on her side.
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In summary, my daughter’s innocent yet passionate support for Hillary Clinton not only filled me with pride but also serves as a reminder to maintain hope amidst the chaos of the political world. Her perspective is a refreshing escape from the negativity that surrounds us.