Dear President Obama,
Eight years ago, when you became President of the United States, I was in sixth grade. I did not understand the beliefs and principles of each party. I did not know that your platform would become parallel to my own beliefs. Meanwhile, I did know that you were the first African American President of the United States, and that meant a lot to a lot of different people, including myself and my parents. My parents wanted you to win the election, so I wanted you to win. And you did.
In the following days, I was whisked away to Washington D.C. for your inauguration. Honestly, I do not remember much, except there being so many people. People were pushing and shoving, attempting to catch a glimpse of our new president. Our new president that represented a forward-thinking America. At your inauguration, there were people of all races, religions and backgrounds. I knew then as I know now that this is what America looks like.
As I grew older, I became more informed of your platform. Obamacare became a health plan that I knew I supported because it gave affordable healthcare to so many Americans. You ended the war in Iraq and you increased support for the troops that came home. You avoided scandal throughout your entire presidency. You legalized same-sex marriage so that all Americans can marry. You reopened the United States embassy in Cuba after 54 years of severed relations. Your list of accomplishments never ceases to amaze. But what amazes me most is that in the midst of intense criticism, from the questioning of your birthplace to truly racist remarks, you remained graceful. As your wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, has said, “When they go low, we go high.”
I am now in college, and I have learned so much from your presidency. And with my newly-found knowledge, the last thing I want to say is thank you. Thank you for bettering the lives of Americans and thank you for striving for equality. So as Dr. Seuss once said, “do not cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.”
Thank You,
Sydney Gullett
