Dear Nathan,
How do I begin to explain this to you? You were born on November 3, 2008. Barack Obama was elected on November 4, 2008. I remember watching the election results from the hospital, excitement surging through my veins. Nathan, you were born the day before the first African American president was elected. Nathan, your birth signaled a giant change in my life and the country’s, me with a little brother and the country with a new president.
I remember listening to Obama speak and becoming overwhelmed with hope, for me and for you. The national dialogue was one of hope and love, of a search for a better tomorrow. I watched as over Obama’s presidency, gay marriage became legalized. You’re only eight now, but someday I hope you will understand that significance.
You see, despite people’s frustrations with Obama, there was no doubt that he is an amazing person. He is just cool. You grew up with him as a role model, and I am proud that you had someone as qualified and generous to look up to.
This past year, I have seen how the election has affected you. You are not ignorant to the national conversation, and how terse and aggressive it has become. I have heard you attempt to comprehend the whole confusing political battleground and no matter how complex it got, you would always tell me, “Lexi I KNOW what I’m talking about!” You were a Hillary supporter from the beginning, whether by nature or nurture and oh my God how I wanted your next president to be a woman. Each time we talked about the world, you reminded me how important it was to respect everyone’s rights. At school, your friends are mostly minorities, whether it be in race, religion or gender. You tell me about these kids and how they are your best friends.
So as the election trudged on and Donald Trump continued to make homophobic, misogynistic, xenophobic comments, I worried. I worried for you and your friends. As a white male, I do not want you to spend the next four, or possibly eight, years with this man as someone who you’re supposed to look up to. He constantly spills out insensitive rhetoric and I pray to God that is something you don’t develop.
And Nathan, while this election may not directly affect you, think of your sisters, think of your mother, think of your friends, think of your friend’s families. As a second grader, you have no idea how Trump’s speeches affect these people, but, unfortunately, you will be forced to learn at too young an age. You’re eight, Nathan. You should be focused on playing outside and practicing piano, not worrying about our country’s social problems. But I know you. You are the most kind-hearted, compassionate and thoughtful person. I saw how you cried this morning when Trump won. I saw how worried you looked at your friends. I saw this, Nathan. You care so deeply about the people you love and it pains me that they be hurt because of Donald Trump. I’m sorry our country let you down.
But, Nathan, remember this is not the end. Just because a bigot is in power doesn’t mean we don’t have a voice. As you age and mature, I hope that you can see the wrongs in Trump’s ways and speak out against them. I hope you forever have your love for people and your earnest desire to do good. These things will carry you far in life and I beg you, oh how I beg you, please don’t let them become poisoned by your parents’ generation’s and grandparents’ generation’s mistake. There is still good in this world Nathan. Although our president may be terrible, America is made up of people. We are not all like him. Pay attention to this, Nathan. As you grow up with a president who may infringe upon the rights of your peers, remember that you don’t have to put up with it. Don’t succumb to hatred. We are a country of hope for a better tomorrow, not a yearning to make America great again. Because you know what? There’s always room to improve and there’s always good people in pursuit of that. Don’t forget that as Trump attempts to suck us back into the darkness of our past. We will persevere and there are good people left in the world.
With love,
Your sister, Lexi
