Regardless of politics, party loyalty, and rivalry, I wanted to believe that deep down, both primary candidates for president had an innate sense of empathy. That they would respect and honor the words of "Gold Star" parents, who have seen real sacrifice and have felt so much pain through the loss of their son or daughter. Oh, boy, was I wrong.
On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, Khizr Khan, joined by his wife Ghazala Khan, addressed the convention. They described the sacrifice their son Captain Humayun Khan made for America, and how his truly patriotic act defines what the United States stands for. He bravely questions Trump, asking if he has ever even read the Constitution to see what it stands for. Amidst a standing ovation and applause, Khizr Khan uses dignity and compassion to illustrate how Trump’s anti-Islam rhetoric does not make him fit to be president.
I believed Trump would respond to Khizr Khan’s speech in either two ways. One, the less likely way, he would honor and respect the words of Khizr Khan, who has clearly seen suffering through the loss of his son. Two, he could have stayed silent on the matter, bringing no harm or good. Of course, Trump does the unpredictable. His first move is to question why Ghazala Khan did not speak, insinuating that, due to her religion, she wasn’t “allowed” to speak. Anyone with a moral compass and sense of empathy could see the pain in Ghazala’s eyes, which brought more feeling and understanding than any speech could. A mother who lost her son carries so much sorrow in her heart. Using her lack of oral communication as a criticism is a low blow, to say the least. In an interview with ABC News, Trump further criticizes Khan’s speech, stating that he has made sacrifices. Donald Trump believes that being successful, creating jobs, and “building great structures” are sacrifices. Really? In response to parents who tragically lost their son in a suicide bombing attack while fighting for this country, you claim that being successful is also a sacrifice? Not only are you diminishing the value of what Captain Humayun Khan did for this country, but you are also disrespecting Khizr and Ghazala Khan’s loss.
A man who can’t stand to stay silent, even when he believes he is right, a man who lacks a moral compass and empathy, and a man who uses a Gold Star mother’s silence as a segue to continue to attack her religion is not fit to be the president of the United States.
