Jennifer Gennari

Because Harris's smile tells me she's an optimist

I’m not being superficial. Kamala Harris’s smile tells me she’s an optimist. A smile that says she cares and she’s going to fix it. That’s what we need—a president who has a positive attitude about the problems we face.

Things are not easy at this moment in the United States. You can append the word “crisis” to any number of issues: women’s health, housing, immigration, climate, foreign affairs. It’s a lot.

A smile can do so much—at the right moment, it can ease tensions and start a conversation. A smile is a kindness. A smile is a way of saying I see your suffering, your humanity. It’s a first step toward disarming hate.

For too long, the political dialogue has been dominated by fear and hate. It has emboldened a minority to push their religion into government, banning books and taking away voting rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights. They believe in hierarchy not equality, a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes the United States great.

This moment does not call for a selfish racist.

This moment does not call for a cowardly felon.

This moment does not call for a fearful pessimist.

We don’t need a dictator. We need a democrat.

I’m voting for Kamala Harris because her smile tells me she will lead with love. 

Jennifer Gennari writes books for children and stands on the side of love.