Dear President Barack Obama,
As a sixteen-year-old high school senior, I can honestly say that you have been a person I have looked up to for the better half of my life. A couple years ago, eight to be exact, I was a fourth grader that had no idea why a man running to become president created so much commotion in my life. I was confused on why every family party consisted of all my Ethiopian relatives watching the news, holding onto every bit of hope that you were leading in the poles.
I couldn’t fathom the reason, until I saw you amongst the other candidates and realized you were different.
Yes, your darker skin complexion was one aspect that differentiated you; however, it was not the only factor. The way you spoke, your elegance, poise and determination for hope and change is what made you stand out to my little eight-year-old self. As the 2008 election went on, and the support you gained from the American people grew, you became a hero to me. If you had asked me then I could not tell you why I cried on the day you were elected or why I felt happy, because I didn’t really understand anything at the time.
But eight years later I understand the emotions that I felt on November 4th, 2008. I cried because of hope. I cried because of change. I cried because a man that looked a little bit like me won in the running to become the Commander in Chief of the “free world”. Eight years later, as we await President- elect Donald Trump to take office, those tears are back, but this time they stand for a different purpose.
Instead of hope, change and representation, my tears now stand for fear.
Fear that things will change for the worst when it comes to race relations, international affairs and human rights. Fear that our next president will neglect the needs of our people and turn back all the change and hope that you gave to this country. While there are many things that have happened during your administration that I do not agree with, I cannot put into words how much I wish you were in office for another four years. But as you are forced by the constitution to pack your bags and leave, I hope that you do not stop working to create an America that accepts us all.
President Obama, we needed you to be a leader for eight years and you gave us that, but now we need you more than ever.
Please fight for the rights of people of all races, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations. Do not give up on the American people, because we have not given up on you. I hope that you continue to fight against the racism, sexism, homophobia, islamophobia and xenophobia that the next administration will bring to the forefront in all their policies.
I hope that your “Yes we can” slogan will continue to shape the minds of many in the upcoming generation. The last eight years have been a rollercoaster from seeing Obamacare pass to watching you and Michelle at the last White House State dinner, and they have created memories that I will pass down to my children.
Thank you for teaching me about politics and how to hold my head up high in the face of adversity amongst my peers. President Obama, you were my hero eight years ago, and you can still be now.
Sincerely,
Tsion Tmariam
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