'Pure, unvarnished, courage': A 13-year-old 'regular kid' with a stutter gave a must-watch speech

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Morning Mix

‘Pure, unvarnished, courage’: A 13-year-old ‘regular kid’ with a stutter gave a must-watch Democratic convention speech

By Tim Elfrink and Teo Armus
August 21, 2020 at 7:39 a.m. EDT

Twenty seconds into his speech to the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, Brayden Harrington started to stutter.

He knew he would — it was the reason the 13-year-old was addressing millions of viewers from his bedroom. As he had explained to kick off his speech, his life had changed after meeting former vice president Joe Biden in February.

“He told me that we were members of the same club. We ... ” Brayden said, shutting his eyes as he drew out an “s” sound, willing the word to emerge: “... stutter.”

And then, he kept going — smiling, poised, and delivering a powerful message about how Biden, who has spoken openly of his battle with a speech impediment, had inspired him to reach higher.

On a night when Biden accepted the Democratic presidential nomination and a parade of notables offered their visions for America, Brayden’s two-minute speech may have had the most visceral impact. A video of his address shared on Twitter by the Democratic National Convention had been viewed more than 3 million times by early Friday.

Link to tweet

For many viewers, and for Biden’s campaign, Brayden’s story not only demonstrated the Democratic nominee’s tenacity and compassion, it drew a stark contrast with President Trump, who mocked a journalist with a disability in 2015 and has been often critiqued for an apparent lack of empathy.

{snip}

Tim Elfrink
Tim Elfrink joined The Washington Post in 2018. He's the editor of Morning Mix. Follow https://twitter.com/timelfrink_dc

Teo Armus
Teo Armus is a reporter for The Washington Post's Morning Mix team. He previously covered race, immigration and identity issues for the Charlotte Observer. Follow https://twitter.com/teoarmus

[Ohiogal]

1. Did anyone

Not tear up after watching this boy? What a brave thing he did!

[hlthe2b]

2. Last thing I thought of when I went to sleep and first thing upon awakening. That kid is amazing and

should inspire us all.

[live love laugh]

3. THE most brilliant display of who Biden is really came through. nt

[Fritz Walter]

4. Here's the YouTube link

For those of us who cannot/will-not connect to Twitter.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. Thanks.

13-year-old Brayden Harrington speaks at Democratic National Convention
16,521 views•Aug 20, 2020

C-SPAN
614K subscribers

Brayden Harrington: "Without Joe Biden I wouldn't be talking to you today. About a few months ago I met him in New Hampshire. He told me that we were members of the same club; we stutter."

Full video here: https://cs.pn/2E3qHlt

[NCDem47]

5. You would have to have a cold dark heart not to be touched by this youg man's story.

Very, very powerful.

I haven't watched much of the convention, but I did catch this. His testimonial spoke volumes about hope, courage and destiny.

[CaptYossarian]

23. Cue Trump or his two oldest "boys".

If Limburger is still on, he's another one.

[kacekwl]

6. Trumps take, people are saying he's

Last edited Fri Aug 21, 2020, 04:29 PM - Edit history (1)

a paid actor. A fake. MAGA. Just speculating.

[Laha]

26. You're probably right

It was that kind of talk about Greta Thunburg that brought me to cut contact with my brother. The accusations of just being an actor with prepared speeches, nothing but a tool of the left, to me were vile. So taken in by the conspiracy crowd, I don't think he even understands what he's staying. He relies on public assistance, and pointing out that the people he supports have a proven track record of dismantling the systems he relies on had no effect.

[George II]

7. That was beautiful. What a brave kid. Everytime I see Donny jr. or Eric making fun of Biden....

....I get pissed off.

[robbob]

12. Someone asked the question in another thread

Why was Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell’s term as short lived as it was (I think it was a thread about countries which had a woman as leader). One of the answers is the ill advised attack ad they ran against Liberal Party opponent Jean Chrétien which seemed to mock his facial paralysis, a condition he had from his youth due to Bells Palsy.

The attack ad was met with disgust from both sides of the isle and helped contribute to Campbell’s defeat in that election. But this is Canada we’re talking about. If tRump decides to got after “stuttering Joe” (or with some similarity vile nickname that his wormy brain comes up with) I’m pretty sure many of his equally disgusting followers will cheer him on. And Susan Collins will express “concern”.

[WinstonSmith4740]

30. Please don't underestimate Collins.

I'm sure she'll be very concerned.

[robbob]

31. Noted!

😂

[Cha]

9. What a sweetheart.. he's so sweet it

makes me cry.

Amazing kid, Braydon Harrington.

[nuxvomica]

10. What a brave fellow that kid is!

How could anyone not want a president like Joe Biden after that? I normally don't like seeing kids in campaign footage but I've got a feeling this was as good for the kid himself to do as it was inspiring for us to see.

[grantcart]

11. And 15 million viewers patiently cheered him on saying, in unison,

"Take your time Brayden, there is no rush, you are doing great".


Think about how great a political party is when tens of millions say "we have to take a minute, or two, or three, to hear what this young man has to say".

The notes he used and showed should be enshrined in the Smithsonian.

[keithbvadu2]

13. Trump and his Medal of Freedom winner Rush would mimic and ridicule him.

Trump and his Medal of Freedom winner Rush would mimic and ridicule him.

[BonnieJW]

15. Whatever makes you think they won't???????

I'm waiting for both of them to make fun of this brave kid. We're talking about fat, useless creatures who are cowards.

[gibraltar72]

14. Donnie Deutch made this point

Every American was cheering for this brave kid to find the words. Just as America is trying to find its' own voice.

[bringthePaine]

16. more balls than the entire Refukkkchicken party

[usaf-vet]

20. I hope the Lincoln Project does a split-screen ad of Brayden and his speech and tRump making fun....

....... of the disabled New York Times reporter, Serge F. Kovaleski.

That horrible video of Trump should have ended his run in 2016.

[usaf-vet]

17. Brayden YOU ARE THE FUTURE! And someday I hope you will be President of the U.S.

Knowing there are brave kids like you makes me feel that the Country will survive.

One of my older cousins stuttered and he grew up to be a C.F.O of one of the country's biggest companies.

Chief Financial Officer set your goals high and work hard you can do it!

Remember if the kids at school give you a hard time about stuttering tell them you had a private sit down meeting with a former Vice President of the United States. Joe Biden soon to be the President of the United States. Stutter and all!

[Hulk]

18. Such courage!

And VP Biden is an inspiration to ALL kids, especially those struggling with a handicap of some sort. Wish him well. With such courage, I know he will succeed n life.

[Javaman]

19. you can tell he's a good kid. :)

I've had close friends, growing up, that have stuttered and my GF's son has one as well.

I believe it's one of the most cruel things to do; a person making fun of someone with a stutter.

this kid has guts.

[Fla Dem]

21. He was a joy to watch and so inspirational to kids in similar situations.

[dlk]

22. Brayden has shown America what courage and character look like

Last edited Fri Aug 21, 2020, 11:26 AM - Edit history (1)

He is our future. Bravo to the Biden campaign for giving us the opportunity to be uplifted and inspired by Brayden.

[flibbitygiblets]

24. Amazing moment, there wasn't a dry eye in this house!

I'm SO glad they had this young man speak, and I'm SO glad they made it clear to the world that when Joe occasionally f umbles a word, it's not because he's "losing it" or any of the crap that's been spewed on the right. He has a disability, and he's done such an amazing job of working through it that most people can barely tell it even exists.

Bravo!!!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

25. Author of "The Catholic Case for Trump," reacting to a young man with a stutter giving a speech

Author of "The Catholic Case for Trump," reacting to a young man with a stutter giving a speech about overcoming challenges.

When people show you what they are, believe them, and don't forget -- ever.

Link to tweet

[MustLoveBeagles]

27. That kids has guts

[AmyStrange]

28. Why doesn't this brat like Trump?

-

Because he's smart, and because he's NOT a brat!!!

Sorry, I've got to go get me some tissues
==========

[Xipe Totec]

29. My heroes. nt