OPINION:
Much of former first lady Melania Trump’s newly published memoir, “Melania,” rang true to me.
Like Mrs. Trump, I am 100% Slovenian. My grandparents on both my mother’s and father’s side emigrated from Slovenia in the early 1900s. My parents carried on many Slovenian traditions, especially my mother, who was fluent in the Slovene language and a longtime lodge secretary for the Slovene National Benefit Society, based in western Pennsylvania. Our family enjoyed my mother’s walnut potica and krompir (potato) creations.
My own family history aside, they say you can’t judge a book by its cover. Yet Melania’s simple, classy design, displaying the title in white against a black background, speaks volumes about the book’s content.
Melania rose from humble beginnings in the tiny country of Slovenia to become a sophisticated, award-winning international model, accomplished businesswoman and strong, independent wife, mother and supporter of the world’s most powerful person.
Melania arrived in the U.S. from Slovenia in August 1996 and became an American citizen in July 2006. Years later, speaking at a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives, she reflected on the challenges of immigrating from her own experience:
“Becoming an American citizen comes with responsibility. It means actively participating in the democratic process and guarding our freedom. It also means leading by example and contributing to our society. It is a life-altering experience that takes time, determination and sometimes even tremendous strength,” she said.
Melania has maintained her integrity, authenticity, humility and empathy in her private life, career and tangential political engagement in America. The engaging, readable book Melania proffers ample evidence of these exceptional qualities.
Melania attributes many of her virtues to her upbringing by hardworking, self-reliant parents. Her experience reminded me of my parents and their invaluable advice: Don’t think of yourself as better than anyone else. That is the recipe for humility, which ultimately yields success in life as you assess yourself and all you encounter.
Regardless of her commendable disposition, Melania has been subjected to misrepresentations. With her memoir, she intends “to set the record straight and to provide the actual account” of her experiences. Melania hopes that by sharing her story, she can “contribute to a greater sense of understanding and hope for the future among all of us.”
Adding to her high caliber, the memoir reveals a methodical, attentive, dedicated, honest, organized, creative, down-to-earth perfectionist who has “always been driven to help those in need, especially the most vulnerable.”
To “address online safety and other critical issues affecting women and children,” Melania launched her Be Best program. As she asserts:
“When I came to the White House, I reflected on the responsibility I have always felt as a mother to encourage, give strength, and teach values of kindness. It is our duty as adults and parents to ensure that children have the best opportunities to lead fulfilling and healthy lives. I launched Be Best to assure that we as Americans are doing everything we can to take care of the next generation.”
Melania also encourages perseverance to reach admirable goals derived from experience. She recalls in detail many behind-the-scenes White House activities, including receptions and parties, moments of crisis and one particularly memorable and joyous occasion: when she and President Donald Trump paid a surprise visit to the troops in Iraq for Christmas 2018.
Displayed between sage advice and keen observations, the book includes appealing and informative pictures and memorabilia. The material documents much of Melania’s life and content from the book with beautiful photographs.
The final chapter recalls Melania’s stress and stamina during the failed attempt on her husband’s life this past July. The chapter and book conclude with Melania’s letter to her fellow Americans, which reminds us:
“Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy, and political games are inferior to love. Our personal, structural, and life commitment — until death — is at serious risk. Political concepts are simple when compared to us human beings.”
Unfortunately, political vitriol continues, and its potential for devastation remains. Misinformation, disinformation and excluded information circulate this political season, even from once-revered news outlets. Legitimate, balanced perspectives are not given enough airtime — not only in this nation but abroad.
I was in Slovenia in 2017, shortly after Donald Trump began his presidency. Unfortunately, the attitude toward the Trump administration from the people I met there was predominantly negative, likely largely because of the biased news about American politics broadcast to the citizens.
Nevertheless, as this election season wraps up, regardless of slanted news coverage in the U.S. and overseas, Melania Trump will help make America not only great again but also classy again.
• Anthony J. Sadar is a certified consulting meteorologist and an adjunct associate professor of science at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He is also co-author of “Environmental Risk Communication: Principles and Practices for Industry” (CRC Press).
• • •
’Melania’
By Melania Trump
Skyhorse, Oct. 8, 2024
256 pages, $28
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