Please know that this is not at all about politics. It’s about family, community, and values of inclusion.
I’m sure that you have heard conversations and news stories over the past week about Gus Walz and his heartfelt, emotional reaction to his father, Governor Tim Walz’s, speech at the Democratic National Convention. In my work as the Director of Disability Inclusion and Belonging at the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, I don’t generally comment on politics. So, while the moment took place in a political context, I saw it as an expression of family, community, and values of inclusion that transcend political parties or candidate. I am so glad that this public moment spurred the greater community to talk about neurodiversity and recognize that it is not something to shy away from. While I’m pretty sure the Walz family had no intention of Gus being a poster child for disability, his presence and reaction to his dad’s remarks have shined a light on the subject in a way that I think many had not anticipated. (Tim and Gus Walz pictured here from an Instagram post about Gus passing his driving test.)
This encounter has opened the door to conversations about disability, neurodiversity, and community inclusion. With more than 25 percent of families in the United States including someone with a disability, you would think that this would already be a more present conversation. Including Gus in such a public event modeled for all of us what it means to be a family who openly accepts each individual for who they are. There is no reason to hide disability, keep family members home, or make up excuses for how someone reacts. We are a diverse community made up of many people with and without disabilities.
This is a conversation that we regularly have in our Jewish community. Our Jewish Federation values building a community of inclusion and belonging, one in which all members have the opportunity to meaningfully participate in all aspects of Jewish communal life. Pirke Avot 2:5 teaches us, “Do not separate yourself from the community.” Through the work of Greater MetroWest ABLE (Federation’s department that supports and advocates for people with disabilities and their families), we partner with local Jewish agencies, synagogues, and schools to ensure that all members of the community have a place to belong and meaningfully participate. We are so fortunate that Greater MetroWest offers inclusive opportunities for worship, volunteerism, recreation, education and community engagement for those with and without disabilities, side by side with one another.
To be sure, there are different political views in our Jewish community. Whatever our political leanings, I think we should thank the Walz family for sharing their family with us. Their openness to being authentic has allowed us to have important conversations about family, disability, mental health, and inclusive community. I am grateful.