Owning The Situation – Opinions From E. Curtis Johnson

My name is E. Curtis Johnson. For me, cynical is one of the four basic food groups that I usually wash down with a glass of sarcasm. I was surprised when a contestant in a beauty pageant, owned by Donald Trump, dissolved my usual pessimistic and sarcastic nature.

Valeria Gatto is a 24-year-old marketing consultant and is Miss Pennsylvania USA. On the Today Show, she revealed that she’s the product of rape.  Valerie was conceived when her mom was sexually assaulted at 19. Her mom had originally planned to give Valerie up for adoption, but changed her mind, believing that that God doesn’t give anyone more than they can handle. Valerie believes she’s here for a reason and works to promote sexual assault awareness. The story of Valeria Gatto and her mom is about two women who own their circumstances and refuse to be defined by what most would consider a negative.

My name is E. Curtis Johnson. Valeria Gatto just schooled us all in how unpalatable cynicism can be sometimes.