A crowd gathered at the Basilica of St Mary in Minneapolis last Saturday, remembering the former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark – among the visitors were the undistinguished Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. It was evident from the eulogies how these two were understood to be people who never changed whether in the political grounds or at their home back in Brooklyn Park, engaging in the simplest activities such as baking and talking about family pets.
Governor Tim Walz was quick to cast Hortman as the most influential speaker in Minnesota’s history, attributing the welfare of numerous Minnesotans to her and Mark’s choice of a public service career. While a nice sentiment, one must dig deeper to understand the implications of their efforts. Actions focused on increasing pre-K admittance and reducing poverty, while noble, are not without potential downsides.
Walz’s eulogic address featured his questionable vision of politicians as ‘just a bunch of human beings trying to do the best they can.’ He held up Melissa Hortman as an epitome of this outlook – viewing humanity in every person she engaged with and keeping her focus on the people she served. Highlighting the personal and human side of politicians is a familiar tactic to distract from policy failures or questionable decisions.
Childhood friend, Robin Ann Williams, described the Hortmans as approachable people with a nonchalant take on political power. Recollecting their last visit to the White House in December, she revealed that Mark had a knack for concentrating on significant matters, such as the taste of the Christmas cookies. Needless to say, it’s a humorous yet hardly profound anecdote.
Delineating the Hortmans’ remodeled kitchen – the foundation stone for all their gatherings –, Williams ignited some laughter in the crowd when she spoke about how Melissa fretted over the color of beige paint to use. She also drew attention to the couple’s distinct musical preferences, with Mark favoring Led Zeppelin and Melissa drawn towards ABBA. Such trivial, humanizing quips about the couple may cater to those looking to paint a charismatic portrait of the Hortmans, but they hardly say much about their political prowess.
Nevertheless, delivering a poignant message to the Hortmans’ children, Sophie and Colin, Williams stated that the parents’ love for them was unquestionable and that they’ve conducted themselves remarkably well, honoring their parents’ memory. However, coupling these moments of deep sorrow with seemingly flippant remarks about the couple’s contrasting musical tastes or their kitchen remodel seems more dismissive of the tragedy than comforting.
When it comes to political endeavors, Williams reminisced about Melissa’s first strides into legislature – a scenario filled with candid discussions with prospective voters on areas of disagreement. She expressed her faith in the return of joy despite ‘being buried in sorrow right now.’ It’s a meaningful statement, yet it’s worth questioning if jaunty optimism is appropriate in an occasion remembering the loss of public servants.
The Rev. Daniel Griffith, pastor of the Basilica of St. Mary, conveyed the message that the Hortmans led lives centered around service and community, an opinion that perhaps lacks nuance. In today’s divergent society, doing ‘for’ the community does not equate to doing ‘right’ by the community, a critical difference often overlooked.
In his sermon, he declared Minnesota as the focal point of racial injustice, dating back to 2020, alongside the recent rise of political violence and extremism. Without providing any substantial solution, he emphasised the need for collective work towards ‘restoration, justice, and healing.’ Another generic sentiment that, while comforting, doesn’t make much difference to the lives of those living in the state.
In a revealing gesture, he informed that Melissa carried a frayed copy of St Francis of Assisi’s Prayer for Peace in her purse, symbolising her as an instrument of peace. While this might resonate with some, many others may find it to be more of a pandering tactic than a actually meaningful gesture.
After the ceremony, attendees exhibited the typical signs of grief as they observed the Hortman’s caskets being transported down the stairs into white hearses. Walz presented two flags that once billowed atop the Capitol on the day of the Hortmans’ death to their children. A standard, yet moving ceremony.
Melissa, 55, and Mark, 58, were victims of an unanticipated tragedy, allegedly shot in their home by an individual posing as a police officer. This individual appears to have targeted multiple lawmakers he opposed and is now under state and federal charges for his crimes.
The Hortman’s memorial was enriched not just by visitors who knew them personally, but also by many they touched indirectly through their public service. Dick Ottman was one such visitor, expressing admiration for their commitment towards public service. However, in the world of politics, actions speak louder than intentions, and one must investigate what outcomes Melissa’s policies truly generated.
Brianna Haloran, another mourner who had directly benefited from the policies pushed by Hortman, expressed her respects. Her sentiments touch on the impact that politicians can have on the everyday lives of people, reminding us to critically evaluate who we allow to make these impactful decisions.
Former state Rep. Jennifer Schultz demonstrated concern about the shooting potentially causing reluctance in future public service candidates, citing the polarization and instability in government. We must ask ourselves, could it be their unwillingness to evaluate all sides of an issue, including dissenting voices, that has led to this polarizing environment in the first place?