Grasping our moment of opportunity
Dear Mrs. Clinton,
We all know that the dignity of our country has taken a kick to the teeth in the past eight years. For anyone who cares about the rule of law and the principles of democracy, this has been a dark epoch, indeed. What's more, the world has been watching this degradation with full attention. Anti-American sentiment has never been higher -- and the cost of such loathing, during these dangerous days, is almost too painful to calculate.
I speak about this from personal experience, because I've spent a large amount of time traveling outside the United States during the Bush administration. Like many travelers, I've lately had to become an amateur ambassador everywhere I go -- explaining America, apologizing for America, trying in small ways to heal wounds. I don't love doing that job (I'm not trained for it; I shouldn't have to do it) but I consider it my duty as an American to shore up my country's reputation whenever I can. I look forward to the day when this won't be such a difficult task.
But traveling as much as I do, I've also witnessed this parallel reality: Underneath all the world's frustration at our corrupted politics and our foreign policy decisions, there still exists a plentiful reservoir of good will toward our country. At the bottom of it all, most people in this world still actually like Americans. They like our optimism, our friendliness, our generosity, our sometimes overly boisterous good intentions -- and they really like our movies. So I can promise you that the world stands poised to heartily embrace America again (indeed, they are eager to) if only we can once more offer them something to admire.
That said, you can only imagine how heartsick I felt when I recently watched you toss out that line about how Barack Obama is probably not a secret Muslim -- or at least "not as far as I know." Mrs. Clinton, please don't do this. This is beneath you, and it's beneath all of us. The world is watching, and every choice you make has a giant impact across the globe, as well as in our hearts here at home.
While there are those among us who might say, "Who cares what the world thinks"? recent history has proven that we had better care, because we're all part of this global community, and our international reputation (or lack of reputation) affects us mightily. When our allies have become as disgusted with us as our enemies, something needs to change. I fear, though, as I've watched the negative direction your campaign has taken in the last few weeks, that we're only getting more of the same. And I can assure you, Mrs. Clinton, that if your campaign becomes just another scorched-earth American political event, where fears and prejudices are manipulated, where cunning overcomes dignity, where crafty maneuverings trump basic fairness, we will all lose -- and immeasurably.
I recognize that this is a heated, passionate race and I'm sure it's tempting to try to win it by any means necessary. But America has a real moment of opportunity right now (perhaps our last) to mend things. We need and deserve a national restitution. We need and deserve decorum in our election process. The world needs and deserves to witness this grace from us, as well. And we need these things far, far more than we need to see any one particular person ascend to the White House.
As for my personal needs, they are simple. I just need to know that my president -- or my future president -- will never give me reason to feel embarrassed on behalf of my country. It's hard enough already to constantly have to answer for America's sins. All I ask is that you don't make it any harder.
I hope you will consider my words. I hope you will raise the tone of this campaign. I believe I speak for many good people (here and overseas) when I say: It matters. And I would not speak at all, except that this might be the only moment in my life when I have anything close to a public voice. If I don't speak up now, I will regret my silence forever.
With respect,
Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert is author of "Eat Pray Love."
rising
falling 