Atlanta Insider: Family Reacts to New Political Ad
In the heart of Metro Atlanta, emotions are running high within one family whose personal tragedy has suddenly become a national talking point.
This story starts with Lorelei Waqia, who, surrounded by the hustle of Atlanta life, found her world momentarily stood still. A recent campaign ad thrust her back into the worst day of her life—the day her brother, Chauncey Bailey, was tragically killed. Bailey, who was a journalist, lost his life in Oakland, California, but his impact, and by extension his story, has resonated far beyond state lines.
“I can’t watch it again, it’s just so devastating,” said Waqia, as she recounted the unexpected emotions dredged up by the ad. On air, the ad appears to be aimed more at political narratives rather than a true reflection of the past.
That ad, which has been brought into living rooms across America, was released by the Donald Trump campaign. At its core, it seeks to paint a specific, but highly controversial, picture about political opponents, particularly referencing Kamala Harris’ time as district attorney. The campaign claims there were instances of inflated conviction rates, however, this charge has been rejected as an unsupported accusation by Harris’ team.
When asked about these contentions, the Trump campaign defended their stance in a lengthy statement, doubling down on the message of the ad. However, what’s intriguing—and truly heart-wrenching— is the unexpected fallout from its airing.
Waqia expressed concern not about the politics but about the use of her family’s heartbreak as a campaign weapon. Her simple wish was for some form of warning. No one had reached out to the family to let them know their painful past was going to replay on such a prominent stage. “Did anyone call you to say ‘Hey, this is going to be featured in an ad?” she shared, searching for some semblance of understanding.
Her sentiment is echoed by her family, including Ruqayyah Weems. From the edges of California to nestled in Atlanta’s expansive communities, the sense of shock was palpable among the family members. “It just took me back to that time. All the emotions took over me,” Weems explained, conveying the depth of sentiment stirred by the ad.
With the political climate heating up and election day just around the corner, the time for action feels imminent. The family has a single, unified request for the campaign team—to take the ad down. Their plea, based on compassion and decency, is straightforward yet profound. “I feel like they should take it down and apologize,” said Weems. Waqia added with heartfelt urgency, “Have some compassion for the family and to have us relive that tragic event is devastating for the family.”
The clock ticks closer to election time, yet there’s no word from the campaign on whether they will honor the family’s request. As we shelter under the warm golden hues of the Georgian skyline, one wonders if empathy will find its way into the corridors of political power.
While the ad might have attempted to highlight certain political points, its reverberations go far beyond the intentions, hitting at the core of what it means to balance public narratives with private lives.
