An Open Letter To President Obama | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

An Open Letter To President Obama

Thank you.

Dana Gray
Jan 16, 2017
University of Maryland College Park
41
An Open Letter To President Obama

Dear President Barack Obama,

When I go back to school next semester and I venture into Washington D.C., this nation's incredible, historical capital, there will be something different. It won't be in appearance or atmosphere but in who resides in the White House. Gone will be the days of your presidency, and instead, this nation will be in the era of President Donald Trump. Regardless of my thoughts on Trump, the absence of your family will be noticed.

I was only 10 years old when you were elected the 44th President of the United States. I was 10 so I couldn't vote in the 2008 election. I was 10 so the significance of your election seemed insignificant. I was 10 so I only vaguely recognized that history was being made.

As I got older and began watching your speeches I realized how incredibly passionate and full of conviction you are. I realized that you held such immense power and used it for what you always thought was the best. As I continued to get older and started to become interested in journalism I realized that you protected and respected the rights of journalists. No matter what was printed about you, you never tried to strip away the rights of the press because you realized the importance of the press. When I realized this I also realized that you hold this country and what it stands for in such an incredibly high regard and have an extraordinary amount of respect for this nation and the people who inhabit it.

Mr. President, you've protected everyone to the best of your ability. You have stood up for and supported so many minorities and you've treated these minorities with respect. And by minority, I don't just mean African Americans and Hispanics. I mean women and the LGBT community and so many others. You have made incredible strides in securing the rights of all of the people of this country and that is something that I highly commend and respect you for. You have left the people of this country inspired and impassioned

So President Obama when I return to Washington D.C. you will not be there. And if I were still 10 years old maybe this would be insignificant to me. But I am not 10 years old anymore and this greatly saddens me.

Sincerely,

A Grateful U.S. Citizen

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

77019
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
390770
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
299491
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
260907
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
494542
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments