Joe Biden was 30 when he became a senator. Shortly after, his wife and new born child were killed in a car accident. In the back of the car, there were 2 survivors, a young Beau and Hunter Biden. Beau would go on to serve in Iraq, come back, and die from brain cancer because of the burn pits. Hunter Biden, has obviously had a struggle with addiction as so many Americans do.
Joe Biden is an incredibly empathetic individual. He understands loss. He’s a people person. And no, he wasn’t perfect as president. He made mistakes. But he was damn good. And he led with a team around him that will be studied for a long time as a guide to good governance.
It is genuinely so depressing to see such vile, inconsiderate, garbage on this app and in the media wishing harm on this man. Or creating conspiracy theories. Go outside. Touch grass. Go talk to other human beings who’ve experienced loss. Talk to people in your community about the hardship they’ve been through. I believe the person who will lead us through this time in American history will be many things, but empathetic and authentic are at the top of the list.
Yes, there is a side these days in politics that seems to have lots of hate in their heart. A man, and current president, that leads with a lot of hate and vitriol. But as leaders, not only should we be better than that, we should extend the same empathy to everyone. And I’ve fallen into the trap of not doing this many times. I’ve been too hateful at times.
At a fundamental level, we are all human beings trying to figure out how to get through the day and too many of us have fallen into a trap of playing a charter online. You aren’t tough. You aren’t all knowing. You don’t want others to die. You sit in bed at night and get anxious and second guess yourself like everyone else. You hope that tomorrow comes and people are kind to you. You’re worried about how that phone call with go with your student advisor. You tweet some vile garbage, you make jokes about the tragic shooting at trumps rally, or Biden having cancer, and you turn off your phone and wonder if your kids are doing okay. You look at yourself in the mirror and feel like you aren’t enough. You have the same problems we all do. And your playing a character trying to solve some deeper issue you have within yourself, and it’s being reinforced by social media sites with algorithms that get you clicks and make you known. It’s embarrassing.
If someone, just someone, can come out as a leader with some god damn dignity and empathy for others, and the American people understand it to be true, the answers we’re all looking for will fall in place.
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
Be strong, be brave, be fearless.
You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.