A letter to my daughter
Dear Willa,
Today is a new day.
Last night Barack Obama became the president elect.
I don't know if I can properly convey to you what this means to me.
Never have I been so invested in a political race.
Having you has made what happens in this country so important to me. As your mother it is my duty to fight for your rights.
I have tried very hard to educate myself. I have done a ton of reading. I hope you will learn from me, that knowledge equals power.
For the last eight years we have had a president who is an embarrassment. He has made terrible decisions and refuses to hold himself accountable. He has disregarded science. He has made choices based on who his friends are. He has let his personal beliefs interfere with government policies.
I'm sorry that he was the president when you were born.
When I was pregnant with you your father and I met Barack Obama. He was friendly and personable, and we had a lovely chat with him. I asked him to run for president so that we would have someone we would feel good voting for.
Even the rest of the world wants Obama to be President of the United States. Polls show that as many as 90% of the people in the rest of the world wanted him to win the election.
Barack Obama is an amazing man. He is intelligent. He unites people. He surrounds himself with good, smart people. He inspires people.
He is not perfect. He will make mistakes. We will not agree with all of his decisions. But, from what I've seen of him, I believe he will admit his mistakes, he will make decisions with the country's best interest at heart, and he will be calm and decisive.
He is exactly what this country needs.
For the past eight years I have not been proud to be an American. In fact, I have been embarrassed.
But, now things will be different.
I really, truly believe that Obama will lead this country in a new direction.
Last night history was made. Barack Obama became the first African-American president elect. Now, you might not understand the importance of that, because you are being raised in a household where people are not judged based on their skin color, but it is a major accomplishment for this country. I wish that it wasn't even an issue, but it is. However, Obama becoming president elect shows that this country is changing for the better. We are moving forward.
He was the right man for the job regardless of his skin color, but the fact that he's African-American is the cherry on top.
I only wish your grand father, and your great grandmother Winnie, who you were named after, were alive to see this. They would have been so happy. They always fought prejudice.
More people than ever voted. Please know that if the people lead, eventually the leaders will follow. We really can make a difference. I believe that now. Never stop fighting for what you beleive in. Never give up the fight. Amazing things can happen.
Today, when I woke up, the world felt different. I am filled with hope- which is a pretty amazing thing considering what a cynic I can be.
I see the light at the end of this long, dark, eight year tunnel.
I cry tears of joy when I think that you will grow up with this amazing man as president.
I am excited for your future.
Love,
Mama
Comments
Well, hell. I hadn't cried with happiness over the election yet. Then I read this. Thanks for putting it into words.
Posted by: Cranky | November 5, 2008 03:31 PM
Dear Torrie,
Thank you for asking Barack to run for president. This letter made me cry, in a good way.
Posted by: Lady | November 5, 2008 03:32 PM
Beautiful article, and one that your daughter will be proud to read :-) I'm so proud of the USA right now, and I hope that the percentage who didn't vote for him will do the right thing and show support for their COUNTRY anyway. Great things are ahead, and given that a recent poll had 80% of the UK in Obama's favour, we are very excited over here. I had tears in my eyes at 4am UK time when the BBC called his win - I stayed up all night because this was going to be historic. I'm so happy I'll get to see a black president come to power just a month before my 30th birthday. I wasn't sure that would ever happen.
More than anything, I'm glad Willa doesn't have to suffer a vapid Vice President who, although female, would have done too much to damage women's rights. And one that couldn't even pronounce 'nuclear' properly... ;-)
Posted by: minxlj | November 5, 2008 03:46 PM
Beautiful letter and it echos my sentiments (for my own children) exactly.
Posted by: Jenn | November 5, 2008 05:12 PM
Very nice Warms my heart.
Posted by: Desiree Fawn | November 5, 2008 06:52 PM
Daniel and I feel the same way for Zoe and Finnegan. What an exciting time this is for all of us. I have more hope today than I did yesterday and that is a wonderful feeling.
Posted by: Keely | November 5, 2008 07:11 PM
I was passionate about elections before - but never like this. It has never been more important to me and it's because of Lexi. I'm so glad that our daughters will grow up remembering President Obama as their president.
Posted by: cass | November 5, 2008 08:41 PM
my daughters are old enough to understand the significance of this race. When my 11-year-old asked what was 'so special' about Obama, my husband just said,'he gives us hope.'
I just have to keep hope that we as Americans can be less divisive and more accepting of each other's beliefs. That is what I hope Obama brings with him.
Posted by: jana | November 5, 2008 11:47 PM
What a lovely post, Torrie. I'm so pleased for the US right now, and really wish I could feel as excited about politics in my own country (UK) as I did about this election.
You're spot on about how the rest of the world felt - everyone wanted Obama to win this, and we're all thrilled he did. Myself, and several of my workmates stayed up until 3o'clock/4o'clock in the morning to watch the results (but I have to get up at 7:30, so I admit, I sloped off to bed at around 3.15, when he'd taken Iowa, had 207 votes, and it seemed to be going pretty swimmingly!).
I hope one day there will be a candidate in this country who can rejuvenate and inspire voters, especially among the younger age group. I have to say though, it's not looking good - have you seen the state of British politicians? *shudder*
Posted by: Jennie | November 6, 2008 06:48 AM
I hope you're right.
Posted by: Karen | November 6, 2008 10:23 AM
Word
Posted by: Shari from Ohio | November 6, 2008 11:41 AM
This is an amazing post. I feel the same way and I've never met the man. I adore his wife too. When I look at them, I can just see how much good they will do in this country.
Posted by: Issa | November 6, 2008 04:07 PM
I hope your child reads this one day in the future, i think Willa will cherish it.
Lets hope Obama is what the world needs, he has shown great promise.
Hello from Scotland :)
Posted by: Peter | November 8, 2008 01:10 AM
People constantly say to me that my generation will be faced with the toughest problems mankind has ever encountered followed by a cynical “good luck”. A man on a train the other day told me, “if you knew the things I knew [about the economy] you wouldn’t be able to sleep at night”. I know they are trying to warn us to soften the blow, but do you have to put it like that? However, last Wednesday when I woke up the world felt different. My day was infused with hopeful thoughts rather than pessimism during these turbulent times. And a bonus plus, I actually felt united with the rest of the world! It is so comforting to know that people in other countries are backing us up on this. I really believe in this man and I know that things will change for the better.
BTW I love that you write Willa these letters, definitely something I wish my parents had done for me.
Posted by: Emi | November 8, 2008 12:27 PM
wow. that's about all i can say. just wow.
ok i lied. i have more. i'm an 8 year US NAVY veteran, and your patriotism and devotion for our country , more than shine in this letter. your daughter will be proud when she reads this. she will be proud to know that you are her mother, and she will be proud to know that Barack Obama is her US president. more so, she will be proud to know that her mama, may have influenced that fact, and changed American history, forever.
very pleased to meet you.
soul.
Posted by: soul | December 22, 2008 09:34 AM