Being a teenager can be difficult at times.
It’s a time of growing and maturing, and we all have learned from experience that it isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially if you have to grow up under the watchful eye of the White House (or worse, the fault-finding eye of Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher).
If you haven’t yet heard, Lauten childishly posted a Facebook status about President Obama’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, condemning their outfits and body language during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony.
According to these screenshots posted by Gawker on Saturday, Lauten wrote to the first daughters, asking them to “show a little class”:
“Dear Sasha and Malia,
I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department. Nevertheless, stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised public events.”
Lauten then made things worse with what seemed like an insincere attempt to apologize as she took to Facebook again Saturday night.
“I reacted to an article and quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager,” Lauten wrote. “After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents and re-reading my words online, I can see more clearly how hurtful my words were.”
Lauten confirmed her resignation to The Washington Post this morning.
Upon hearing what had I happened, my first thought was, has she ever met a teenager?
At age 13 and 16, having to stand next to your parent for any long amount of time feels like a cruel punishment. Now given, the girls had to stand next to their parent in front of TV cameras being broadcasted on national television, is a little bit worse. President Obama’s joking manner, asking his daughters if they want to pet the turkey, is obviously going to stir some slight embarrassment for the girls. They are still in that stage where they want to be seen as adults, we have all been there.
As to their attire, has Lauten ever been to a high school recently? Or seen in general how teenage girls dress in public? Or a bar, for that matter? The skirts could arguably have been a bit short, but in the grand scheme of parents who battle with their children about clothes, it was a miniscule matter.
I defend the girls. Their clothing landing them a “spot at the bar” is an inappropriate insult for young women.
Lastly, it is kind of known in the political world that children in the press are seemingly off-limits. After all, it is not Sasha and Malia who chose to be in the White House, it was their father.
Republican National Committee communications director, Sean Spicer, published a series of tweets Monday about the issue.
As a young adult, I am personally offended by the way Lauten chose to voice her feelings. It not only reflects poorly on her professional profile, but also insensitively offends many individuals.
Using Facebook as a platform was a thoughtless mistake, considering in today’s day and age cyber bullying is the talk of the century. It is disappointing to see officials in government positions acting out quite immaturely, especially in terms of the blameless first daughters.