I apologize for the second political post but it’s my blog
and I can write whatever I want.
#sorrynotsorry
I never got a chance to write Barack Obama a letter while he
was in the White House (or rather I wrote a draft, thought it was stupid, and
then deleted it), so I am writing this Farewell Address of Thanks. I am putting it out into cyberspace and
perhaps I will someday print it out and send it directly to him.
Dear President Barack Obama,
In 2007, I was studying abroad in Paris, France. I had no interest in politics, in current
affairs, in anything beyond my own sphere of influence, my friends, my classes,
my final exams, my personal existence.
 |
| Obama, 2007 |
I started hearing about this Senator Obama in the French
language before hearing anything about him in English. The French people, the French newspapers were
talking about him, and they liked him.
They saw a change was coming for the United States.
Who is this Barack Obama?
When I came back from studying abroad, I went to my local
campaign office and just asked, “Can I volunteer?” The summer of 2007, I saw you speak three
times. I met you twice and met your wife
and daughters once. I started reading up
on your position on the big issues and really listened to what you had to
say. I made phone calls and got hung up
on more times than I can count.
In January of 2008, I was literally running door to door in
the dark, with a flashlight, the night of the Primary Election. Having my home in New Hampshire, it was important
work to be done, up until the last possible minute. Though you lost the Primary in New Hampshire,
you won the nomination overall and look where we are.
Over these last 8 years, I think back so fondly on the
experience I had volunteering in your first campaign. In this day and age, it is hard for a young
woman to find a role model amongst the Kardashian-style-culture we have created
in society. However, I see you as a true
role model and will never forget what you have taught me.
You first taught me that there is a bigger picture. At a time when I was so self-absorbed (we
have all been there), you showed me that there is a nation and a world beyond
my own “universe” that was more significant and needed my help. It was important to do well in school, to
volunteer, to work hard, not just for myself, but to be a better influence on
our world.
You taught me that I can have an impact on the big issues. As an elementary school student, we all feel
limitless but as we get into the real world, we lose some of that fire and
feeling that nothing can stop us. But
you brought it back. I can create social
change, no matter how seemingly small my actions may be. “Yes We Can.”
Since 2007, I inspired two people to register to vote. It is small, but two more than we had.
You encourage people to get involved and make changes, not
just when it is easy and not just when it is relevant. I fight that often, feeling that around
Christmastime is when I will give to a charity or when it is election time,
that is when I will volunteer and learn about the issues. But it should be always. “Lace up your shoes and do some organizing.“ I currently work in Development and
Fundraising at a homeless shelter and I am reminded everyday that there is work
to be done, not just when it is cold out and people need shelter, but
always. I need to always be searching
for ways to make myself better, and the world/society/culture I live in. And “not to score points or take credit. But to make people’s lives better.” It is not about a means to an end but an end in
itself.
For me to be able to say I voted (twice) for our first
African American president will forever stay with me. I grew up in an area where there was no
diversity. I had two black students in
my middle school. Yet, moving to New
York City and going to school in the Bronx, I very quickly realized that things
were different and that equality was an issue that needed to be addressed. Racism and sexism exist, whether we see
it everyday or we don’t. I have pushed
myself to be in spaces where it is not all “puppies and rainbows,” but where
there are these issues and that maybe I can help in defeating them.
When you gave your Farewell Address, I was sobbing from the
moment you walked out on stage. I was,
and am, sad to see you go. It feels like I am losing a friend—a very
important and powerful friend. But I
also feel like I did have a piece, as small as it may be, of the change you
brought about, and I know many others across the country (and beyond) feel the
same. It is so important, as you said,
for young people to feel that they can make a difference and bring about
change.
Yes we can. Yes we
did!
With that, I want to thank you for being a President that I
can look up to and an impactful leader I will forever follow. Thank you for teaching me how to confront
issues with grace and poise. How to look
at progress as tiny movements forward, and maybe some movements back, and for
being an intelligent leader.
Many Thanks,
Nicole
#micdrop
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