A Tragic Loss Sparks a Call for Ethical Leadership and Democratic Renewal
The recent assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, is a dark escalation of political decline in America.
At their home in Champlin, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot.
My heart goes out to their loved ones. State legislators are not often known. Their work is unglamorous and under-appreciated. But these are the people upon whose leadership the inner workings of democracy rests. I cannot but sit here bewildered and ask: what is going on in our country?
This targeted assassination is a heinous crime. Our differences, however vast, are not resolved with murder. And I worry that in our hyper politicized context, the repression of efforts to include, diversify, and invite differences of opinion, will only engender more acts of violence and fear-mongering.
As a Minnesotan graduate student of global affairs, I don’t like party politics any more than the next person. But I do care about ethical leadership. Which is why it matters so much when public servants like Hortman and Hoffman are punished for their service. They were striving for better and compromising where needed. And I keep wondering at levels of governance more ostentatious, where is the leadership?
When I look back at the past six months, this is what I see: University censorship silencing critical thought. Defunded science endangering public health. Political opposition being harassed and arrested. And fickle tariffs corroding 80 years of diplomacy. For my generation, it will be the task of our lifetimes to build back trust an entire world over.
In D.C., one must look no further than the streets to see dangerous slippage towards tyranny. This weekend, 45 million taxpayer dollars paraded 120 army vehicles through downtown. No other countries tout such military opulence that is not just for tradition (France) except authoritarian Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
One can be a pragmatist when it comes to matters of national security and still discern formidable defense from arrogant bravado. There are a hundred other ways we can and should celebrate our servicewomen and men. Besides, true power does not need to brag: it is known. In my faith’s tradition, the most powerful man of all was also the humblest servant.
I sat down to write my Senators, but heck, they are already fighting for Minnesota. I ended up writing to America instead. To me and to you. We are “the People.” We are the change.
So.
I am not pivoting.
I am not leaving.
I came to Washington to understand the power structures that enable, cause, and prevent injustice. Moreover, I came to learn how to maneuver those power structures towards justice.
I am right where I intend to be.
And all around me, young people, starting with 125 classmates at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, are reintroducing compassion, competence and hope into a next generation of public leadership. I hope more will join us.
Only a recommitment as such can pay tribute to the spirit of service that the Hortmans and Hoffmans gave to our democracy.
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