Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County business owner Margot Henshaw Day says the words of County Board District 4 candidate Hadiya Afzal (D-Glen Ellyn) reveal a lot about how she would fare in public service, had she not had to withdraw from the race after an inflammatory, anti-law enforcement tweet on July 26.

And the absence of words from freshman U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove), Day says, reveals a lot about his work so far as a national representative for the Sixth Congressional District of Illinois.

Afzal promptly stepped down after causing an uproar by tweeting a video of a police officer in Portland, Oregon, getting hit in the face with a projectile during a violent demonstration.

Former DuPage County Board District 4 candidate Hadiya Afzal (D-Glen Ellyn) | Twitter

“I’ve been watching this on repeat for 15 minutes and laughing every single time,” Afzal posted.

Day, who lives in Burr Ridge and owns a successful retail business in Glen Ellyn, told DuPage Policy Journal that the social media post said a great deal, as did the fact that Casten did not criticize it or ask for Afzal to abort her candidacy.

After first saying her words had been “taken out of context,” Afzal apologized and withdrew from the race.

“As a young activist, I made the decision to run for office in DuPage County Board District 4 to bring progressive policy changes for the community I grew up in and care deeply for,” she wrote in a statement. “Early Sunday morning I posted a personal tweet regarding the protests in Portland, Oregon. My post was in poor taste and doesn't reflect the values I was raised with and hold dear. I do not support or condone violence in any form. I appreciate and support the role that law enforcement plays in keeping our communities safe.”

Day says the post was indicative of something very wrong.

“True hatred is wishing someone ill or death, as the leftists do all who oppose them,” she said. “Feeling joy at the injury of another with whom you have no negative personal connection is particularly chilling.”

She adds that the incident reminded her of the actions of truly dangerous people.

“Serial killers all have one thing in common: They all enjoyed tormenting and killing animals, sometimes pets, as rehearsal for later activities where they would take pleasure in the terror and pain of other human beings,” Day said. “Certainly Ms. Afzal’s giddiness at the sight of a police officer [being harmed] does not make her an aspiring serial killer, but does indicate a certain level of hatred. As a county board member, she would be representing all the constituents of District 4, which could possibly include police officers, who – at the moment – are still considered to be citizens.

“If a police officer had business in front of the county board, would she, as his representative, advocate for his case?” Day continued. “And, as a county board member, she would be voting on any case brought to the county from any of the districts. How thoughtful would she be in considering the plight of any police officer with issues pending? It is reasonable to assume that there are police officers living in DuPage. It must certainly be considered that Ms. Afzal harbors, by her own admission, a degree of hatred that would prejudice her votes.”

Day says it is important to have leaders who understand the impact of their words and the importance of a moral code.

“This is a moment in history when we need serious and thoughtful leaders,” she said. “Our children need to be instructed in thinking strategically, whether that be learning to wash their hands correctly and often or learning about economics and tax policy and the global implications of living in a socialist society.  We as a society need to weigh the pleasures of cheap Chinese goods versus paying more while strengthening our economy and those of our true allies — Mexico, Canada, Europe, Japan, Israel, parts of South America, all of which practice soft socialism such as we employ.”

A critical time in history

Day says that she believes the lessons that are taught will make a difference and that this is a crucial time for not only the United States but everywhere in the world.

“Our children need to be taught the true virtues of America – the only country ever to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of young men to throw off the shackles of slavery, the liberator of countries all over the world from tyranny, first on the scene of foreign disasters to offer aid,” she said. “Filling the heads of the young with anti-American history, teaching them to revere self-serving athletes as role models, foisting loads of sexual instruction beyond their years into the curricula is not a recipe for a strong society.

“Once upon a time, there was extreme prejudice against the gay community” she continued. “Mercifully, this time has ended and we can move on with everyone minding their own business, living their own lives and letting everyone else alone. We are thankful that our gay family members can live productive, happy lives, unfettered by stultifying prejudices.”

Most Americans are well-aware of the progress that has been made, Day says. Some, however, want to make political points while advocating on behalf of people with angry rhetoric as their main tools.

“Yet, as recently as 2018, Rep. Sean Casten seems to be focused on this as his raison d'être,” she said. “When interviewed by the Wall Street Journal prior to the [2018] election, he was asked, ‘Name one current leader who inspires you?’ His answer: ‘Dan Savage. I love his moral compass and the way he is able to use his peculiar talent for righteous humor to effectuate positive change.’”

Savage is an author, journalist and outspoken GLBTQ activist.

“While not familiar with Mr. Savage's work, it must be said that the real leaders who effect change are actually employers – changing people's lives by giving them purpose and remuneration,” Day said. “It speaks volumes about who Sean Casten is and who he is not – if your readers delve into who Mr. Savage is and how he made his name in radio.”

The words of Afzal and Casten are worth noting, Day says, adding that it's important to know what they are thinking.

“It seems that Ms. Afzal as well as Rep. Casten would like to cherry-pick the constituents who they favor and disfavor by narrowly focusing on the issues that consume them, but perhaps not their constituents,” she said. “America needs to quell this type of thinking and include all citizens in focusing on real, not imagined, problems.”

Casten will try to hold onto his seat in the Sixth Congressional District when he faces Republican challenger Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton).