I was touched to see Gus Walz’s joy when his dad @Tim_Walz took the stage last night. Thankful for you showing us all what real love looks like, Gus.

Let’s be a nation that embraces this kind of warmth and vulnerability, instead of making fun or mocking it. We could all use some…

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 23, 2024

{*Did you know you can write on Elephant? Here’s how—big changes: How to Write & Make Money or at least Be of Benefit on Elephant. ~ Waylon}

~

*Editor’s Note: Elephant Journal articles represent the personal views of the authors, and can not possibly reflect Elephant Journal as a whole. Disagree with an Op-Ed or opinion? We’re happy to share your experience here.

~

I was glued to the TV watching the DNC last week, eager to immerse myself in the electric energy with performances, the delegate votes (and their accompanying music), and speeches from notables of all stripes including both the VP and Presidential candidates accepting the party’s nomination.

Star power lit up the room in the form of Stevie Wonder, P!nk, Sheila E., John Legend, Jason Isbell, Mickey Guyton, Kenan Thompson who lambasted Project 2025 with a tinge of humor, The Chicks, raising their voices in harmony as they sang the Star Spangled Banner, Patti LaBelle, Oprah, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Michelle and Barack Obama, and Maren Morris.

Sadly, although he was scheduled to be on stage on the first night, James Taylor’s performance of “You’ve Got a Friend,” was bumped since the speakers ran long. Graciously, Taylor, long known as Democratic supporter, explained the reason for it. Perhaps he will be invited to sing at the inauguration of President Harris and Vice President Walz.

Although it was rumored (wishful thinking) that Beyoncé and/or Taylor Swift would be surprise last minute additions to the lineup, it didn’t occur. Posts about seeing airplanes land in Chicago that were alleged to be each of theirs were likely simply attention-seeking misinformation from people who placed them on social media.

This love fest was a gathering of the communities from around the country. The enthusiasm was palpable, and I could feel it radiating from the screen. As the camera panned around the packed United Center in Chicago, it was apparent that the faces were representative of the diversity of the United States. This was a takeaway message from many of the speakers—that we are stronger together and that hatred is a force that rends the country asunder. A far cry from the message expressed at the RNC held last month—that of revenge, retribution, anger, and vitriol. For a party that claims to be “America First,” their figurehead continuously makes disparaging comments about the people, the military, immigrants (even those who have been here for years, going through “proper channels”), and, no surprise, anyone who dares to disagree with him.

Patriotism. Freedom. Family. Joy. All of these were themes that threaded their way through the four nights. The first three were ridiculed by some cynics as being co-opted from the Right and the fourth, well, the fourth was lambasted as light and fluffy and not the tough stance they thought was needed. I gotta tell you that after years of resistance fatigue and lost hope that things could get better, I sure needed a dose of that. People are motivated by joy. People are uplifted by joy. People are inspired by joy.

I was eager to hear all of the presenters, on both sides of the aisle, expressing why this election was the most consequential of many of our lifetimes, because it reflects the chasm in values between the two parties and their candidates. I was proud of the Republican notables who stood up to the bullying of the MAGA wing of their party and declare their endorsement of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. They were clear that it didn’t mean they were “converting,” but rather, expanding their perspective and putting country over party.

The fourth evening closed out with a knock it out of the park acceptance speech by Kamala Harris. She began by speaking about where she came from, moved into what we are up against in the face of the threat that her opponent poses, and ended with a crescendo about her policies and plans. It was a succinct and well planned presentation that she had been crafting for the past few weeks. She is a powerful orator who wastes nothing on extraneous vitriol.

As her words were floating in the air, red, white and blue balloons cascaded down to the sound of Beyoncé’s anthem “Freedom” that has become her campaign theme song. I just discovered the significance of this year’s balloon drop. It was in honor of a Chicago-based balloon artist named Tommy DeLorenzo who was fighting for his life in a local hospital with Stage 4 diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It took 55 volunteers to blow up and tie the 100,000 balloons. That’s a lot of love.

The audience was left with the marching orders that had been echoed throughout, “Do something!” and the reminder, “We’re not going back.”

Doing something could take many forms—first among them, voting. It might mean volunteering for voter registration, canvassing, being on a phone bank, writing postcards, working at the polls, speaking with the people in your life about voting in this world-changing election, and donating as you can, to campaigns up and down ballot.

One moment stood out amidst the four days to all that is good and beautiful and worth saving about our country. Governor and soon to be VP, Tim Walz, was speaking about his family’s challenges with fertility and how his daughter Hope came to be conceived. The 23-year-old flashed a little heart sign with her fingers and her brother, 17-year-old Gus, stood, clapped, sobbed, and pointed and called out, “That’s my dad!” Hearts melted, tears flowed in the stadium and all throughout the world. Such unabashed love and pride for this parent who had been his stalwart, and although Walz declared to his wife and children, “You are my entire world and I love you,” the family will now have to share him with the world. Imagine being catapulted into the spotlight as a result of a phone call inviting him to be Harris’ running mate. It would be overwhelming for any child, regardless of age. Sadly, not everyone’s response was supportive.

From the likes of Ann Coulter and Conservative radio commentator, Jay Weber, came knife-sharp criticism of the young man’s reaction. It was only in the face of swift and harsh public backlash and the revelation that “he has ADHD, an anxiety disorder, and a non-verbal learning disorder, his parents said in an interview with People. The non-verbal learning disorder, which his dad calls his ‘secret power,’ is shared by millions of Americans. Despite the 3 % to 4 % of people (both children and adults) who have the condition, it’s not nearly as understood as Gus’s other diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” that they both deleted their comments.

For better or for worse, the cat was out of the bag and they are being held accountable for their sexist comments. Both indicated that he was not appropriately masculine because he dared to respond, unfiltered, with love and awe.

No matter the younger Walz’s diagnosis, “kvelling” (Yiddish for bursting with pride) at the success of a loved one is perfectly acceptable and a reflection of the “family values” that the Republican party pretends to revere.

I dare anyone to claim to be a person of good character while disparaging the natural reaction in such a touching parent-child moment that was on display for the world to see and embrace. It speaks volumes about the kind of man Tim Walz is and the kind of VP he will be.

It was a milestone moment for our country that Gus Walz unknowingly ushered in. It is a reflection of the ways in which we view masculinity. Men have tear ducts too.

~

{Please consider Boosting our authors’ articles in their first week to help them win Elephant’s Ecosystem so they can get paid and write more.}