Page 6 - Paterson Extra January 2018

page 7:Paterson Journal 12/28/2017 3:44 PM Page 1

Melania, the woman behind Trump

administration, one can imagine that As part of her duties as an “American
Melania Trump might well pursue some- greatness” ambassador, Melania Trump
thing a bit more pointed—defending could reorient perceptions about the
American exceptionalism. After all, who administration’s views toward immigra-
better to underscore President Trump’s tion. Pundits, celebrities and various
famous pledge to “make America great media outlets often blur the lines be-
again” than the one person in his imme- tween legal and illegal immigration.
diate or bit who came to America by After all, it’s much easier to attack
choice? someone for being anti-immigration in
general than for being anti-illegal immi-
Melania Trump comes from an area of gration.
the world that knew the daily horrors of
war, deprivation, poverty, authoritarian- As an immigrant herself, Melania Trump
ism and political persecution. is of course the ideal person to go on of-
fense and to reassure millions of first-,
She knows better than many who were second- and third-generation American
born here what a blessing and a wonder immigrants that our country has a place
America is, and how important it is to for them.
keep the country strong and prosperous Perhaps the first lady could attend se-
By the editor and free. lect immigration ceremonies and even
preside over a swearing-in ceremony.
Melania Trump, a Disney princess who As a result, the first lady could play the
married a cartoon villain has the charm provocative role of encouraging a She could invite legal immigrants to the
to help Trump succeed in his presidency.
Melania Trump has power.

The kind of power that just might be
able to convince the millions of Ameri-
cans and foreigners who don’t like, who
even fear, Donald Trump that he is not
a solitary, impulsive, dangerous mon-
ster.

The kind of power that could begin to
provide a counter narrative for the ad-
ministration after many days of
protests, bureaucratic mutinies, damag-
ing leaks and middling approval ratings.
That is, if the White House makes use of
the Slovenia-born first lady in the right greater appreciation of America among White House to demonstrate the impor-
way. her own citizens—advocating the teach- tance of welcoming to our nation those
ing of American civics in high schools who follow the rules and avoid law
Every first lady tends to take on a special and colleges, encouraging younger gen- breaking.
topic of interest to define her tenure— erations to understand and learn the
Barbara Bush, for example, chose liter- lessons of the Cold War, etc. We can only hope for the best and wait
acy, and Michelle Obama focused on to see how the second foreign born first
childhood obesity. She could write a children’s book on lady develop her plan to “Make America
In keeping with the tone of the Trump American greatness. Great Again.”

January 2018 | Page 6