Kapika is a Seattle-based news journalist and the mother of an 11-year-old daughter. When she told me about the unexpected emotional response her daughter, seven years old at the time, had to the 2016 election results, I knew I wanted to learn more from her and other mothers in the country who are currently trying to raise young, strong, and educated girls during Donald Trump's presidency.
Mom Up, America!
The day after Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race, she specifically addressed the young girls of the nation in her concession speech:
“And to all the women, and especially the young women, who put their faith in this campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion.
[...]know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but some day someone will and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.
[…]and to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” -Hillary Clinton, November 9th 2016
On a late summer night one year later, I found myself having an inspiring conversation with the mother of an eight-year-old girl. It was 2018, I was freshly grieving the sudden and mysterious death of a friend and Donald Trump was in his second year of presidency. During our conversation, this mother expressed concern and helplessness when it came to speaking with her young daughter about politics and activism in this country.
As much as Hillary Clinton’s concession speech and especially her words to the little girls had moved me to tears two years before, the conversation that night made it clear to me that I wanted to know more. I wanted to hear about the hopes, dreams, burdens, and fears these little girls Hillary spoke to had. I wanted to understand the struggles their mothers are faced with when it comes to speaking with their children in an honest, yet child-friendly, way about the president and their country.
“How do I speak to my daughter about Donald Trump and political activism?”
Everyone has different answers and stories. Leading up to the 2020 presidential election on November 3rd, Resisters Journal is proud to share the extraordinary voices and stories of three individual mothers who are currently raising young girls in the United States of America and the very specific meanings of doing so.
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Picture Credit: Alyson Palmer