By DAVID K. MINETA
My dad, Norman Y. Mineta, loved our country. Since the 1960s until his death, he was a devoted public servant. He loved when the government did things right and showed our country was about “we the people” … ALL THE PEOPLE.
At a time of great division, I wish I could pick up the phone and talk with him. However, being his son, I think I know what he would tell me.
He would say, “Kamala Harris and Tim Walz support the vision of a democracy that represents our country’s motto of E Pluribus Unum … Out of Many, One.”
Dad would talk about the role of the government to unify and not pit people against each other. He believed in a government that would fight against all forms of discrimination, because the strength of our country comes from diverse voices coming together.
Fear and hateful rhetoric should not be the role of the government. This kind of thinking resulted in my father and his family being put in World War II concentration camps, like Heart Mountain.
But Dad was proud of a government who apologized for the wrong that was done to the Japanese Americans in World War II … a government correcting something that should have never happened to U.S. citizens. A government saying, “We made a mistake and we can do better.”
I grew up being told, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it.” Dad did not allow the word “hate” to be spoken, because it is hate that divides and not unifies. He believed so much in serving the country over party that he was the only Democrat chosen to serve in the George W. Bush Cabinet as secretary of transportation for five years.
My Dad knew Kamala from her days as California’s attorney general, senator and vice president of the United States. He had deep affection for her and respected her dedication to serving the people of California and now the United States. He often had candid conversations with her … she was part of our family.
So today, I believe my Dad would say there is a sharp contrast between Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent. Dad always liked to lift people up and not put people down, but I think he would say that this moment calls for honesty and truth.
Donald J. Trump is trying to work for just a few people. Kamala Harris is working for all the people. Donald J. Trump’s vision is dividing the country. Kamala Harris wants to unite the country. Donald J. Trump spews hate, fear, and retaliation. Kamala Harris speaks of joy, possibilities, and hope.
My dad was a good guy, a super kind human being and someone who believed that our country could be a beacon of light, compassion and finding our way together. I am so proud of who he was and all he taught me. I am so glad that he was my dad … and I know he would say:
“Let’s all work together to elect Kamala Harris our next president of the United States!”
David Mineta worked for 14 years at Asian American Recovery Services in the Bay Area, then served in President Barack Obama’s administration as deputy director for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. After a five-year stint, he returned to the Bay Area to become president and CEO of Momentum for Health, the largest private nonprofit dedicated to providing comprehensive adult mental health services in Santa Clara County.The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those ofThe Rafu Shimpo.