It's January 10th. I sit on my living room floor awaiting the Farewell Address of President Obama. I wonder, “Why do I find such a strong emotional pull to an administration?” I could not vote for this man as a junior high student, but I cannot stand the idea of an Obama-less White House.

And yes, it does all boil down to race.

I am a black woman in a society that does not respect my skin color. I encounter countless stereotypes that negatively portray me and my black peers as dangerous, dumb, promiscuous, and angry. I must constantly fear for the lives of my brother and father. I cannot live truly carefree because people of color are not granted that right.

I awaken each morning with a swift reminder of my blackness, my womanhood, my status in society. Every move is seen through a lens of my race. Most frighteningly, I do not have the privilege to live any other way.

My story is not abnormal or special. People of color everywhere experience the incessantly strenuous life of being not white. Of not being conventionally attractive. Of not being able-bodied. Of not being straight. Of not being fully and irrevocably privileged.

So, I invite you, white racist America, to continue your complaints of President Obama and his administration for the things he did not do. The things he could not fully solve. The problems created in the aftershock of some of the policies he pioneered. Drag him and his legacy because you do not agree with his viewpoints or the methods he used to see his vision through.

Insult his wife and kids and refer to him as a monkey and a lying nigger. Draw racist cartoons of the First Lady and refer to her as an angry, uncivilized black woman. Continue to show your true colors and embrace your disgusting and unrelenting racism towards this family and every other black person in this country.

Your disgusting racism and narrow-minded viewpoints only fuel us. We are becoming more educated. We are becoming more confident. We create the culture you so desperately steal to remain relevant. We built America on the backs of our ancestors with no expectation of respect. We use humor and a vibrant history and culture to combat the everyday experience of your white aggression.

So, when it comes to saying goodbye to the Obama Administration, I do so with a sad heart but a renewed spirit. This family, this beautiful, black family leaves inspiration and hope in their wake for all people, but especially black people. President Obama succeeded in many political battles, but his most important legacy will be the impression he left on me and our community.

Thank you, President Obama, for leading our country with success, grace, and respect when its racist institutions tempted you every step of the way.

Thank you, First Lady Michelle, for allowing the country to love and support your husband alongside you and for bettering our country with your selfless efforts, expertise, and charisma.

Thank you, Sasha and Malia, for growing up under public scrutiny and tight security and for relinquishing any hope of a private childhood. Your sacrifice did not fall on blind eyes.

America is a better place because of your family. And we will remain vigilante.