To: my family, my dearest friends, my important associates…and especially, to the younger generations of same
From: Steve DeDoes – husband, father, brother, uncle, collaborator, friend, & fellow citizen

I did not write the letter that I provide below, one that I sincerely hope that you will read. It is written by an individual whom I do not know, a person who sent this into the Detroit Free Press, writing openly to his/her very young son.

I extracted it because it was published in the website of the Freep, embedded with many other letters that “ping-ponged” across many different directions. By taking it out of that post, I want to help provide the clarity and attention that I feel it deserves.

I’ll speak for myself a moment here. It is much easier for me to withdraw into anger, disillusion, despair, and depression at this time. Another choice to make is to essentially “give up,” and to just amuse ourselves with distractions.

It is my hope that, after you read this, we can agree to support one another going forward.  I ask your help in helping me to re-calibrate, and I want to help you all to do the same – toward efforts that will perhaps lead to a better tomorrow.  As I read the letter below, I could not help but think about my son, my nieces and nephews, and their young children.

While Mr. or Ms. Keturi’s piece beautifully expresses specific (and necessary) sorrows and sadnesses, it pivots in order to point an important way forward, and why it matters so much.  Please read these words.  S.D.

Letters: Explaining Trump’s reelection to my small son

from the Detroit Free Press

Open letter to my son, on Nov. 6

Like most mornings, you’re in the bath with a cup of milk. I’m making my best Mr. Turtle voice and sipping my coffee. It’s early, but I’ve peeked at the results. My heart is heavy, but we go on with our day. This is the joy of toddler parenting — the day moves on, always. There are things that are gratefully beyond your comprehension right now, but nonetheless, I want you to know them. This is for one day, when you’re ready.

I want you to know that you are unbelievably fortunate to have been born in a democratic nation. Do not take this for granted, because it is not guaranteed to last.

I want you to know that democracy also means that some truly vile ideas can legally be enshrined by individuals and systems.

This is the history of our nation, then and now.

But you, my son, have a choice on how you want to be in this vast country. And our nation also has a wonderful tradition of resistance.

I hope you find wisdom from those who have endured and overcome far worse.

Everyday, you tell me that you’re a “big boy.” You’re so eager to be a man already.

Here’s what I want you to know about being a man — a man never uses his power to steal freedoms from others. Never.

And I’m really sorry about the climate. We’ve missed another chance to make the world more habitable for your grandchildren’s children. I’m trying, but it’s a big planet and there is a lot of work to do.

On Nov. 1, it snowed, and you were overcome with joy. Never miss an opportunity to celebrate the snow. Protect the places you love. Make your impact light. And find the resiliency to live in the present.

We only have three rules in our house — respect yourself, respect others, and respect your environment. Live by these mantras, despite what the mob is doing. Bring others who share your values into the fold. Struggle and build alongside them.

I also want you to know that none of this is your fault, but the hard truth is that it will someday be your responsibility.

Your choice is this — want kind of human do you want to be? There is a clear example in front of you. One that, yes, the majority of our Nation has chosen. But you, my big boy, can make another choice, take another path. And that is the wonderful nature of freedom.

Wren Keturi
Pelkie, Michigan

(extracted from freep.com on 11/08/24)