It's been nearly a decade, as First Lady Michelle Obama would point out herself, since the American people were graced with the presence of a First Family that resembles the epitome of class. As January 20, 2017 rapidly approaches, the Obama family will step out of the spotlight and return to the "normal" life of private citizenship. This departure is heartbreaking for many, for what President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have accomplished for us has been monumental; so many of us would love the opportunity to continue to fight our battles alongside the newest American icons. With the uneasiness surrounding the incoming administration, many Americans (65 million+) have lost sight of the hope the Obamas' instilled in us eight years ago.
But to Michelle Obama, that is simply unacceptable.
In her farewell address, the First Lady took her final opportunity to speak directly to the youth of the country. She urged us, the future leaders, to "not take [our] freedoms for granted."
And she's right.
At a time where too many of us have too much to lose - immigrants, Muslims, LGBT+ citizens, African Americans, women, and all those demeaned by the President-elect - we must not remain silent. Just as Hillary Clinton showed us of the importance of resilience, Michelle Obama is now urging us to act the same. We can shape the nation into a brighter, fairer, and more inclusive America, but we must fight. And that means more than the African Americans fighting for African American rights, but rather African American citizens fighting for LGBT+ rights. It means more than women fighting for women's rights, but women fighting for Muslim Americans' rights. Simply put: it means Americans fighting for fellow Americans. One message voiced by tens of millions, including those who do not personally belong to any of the communities listed above. We are stronger together and we will not be ignored.
While the November election may not have been the outcome many of us wanted nor expected, we must not simply write-off the soon-to-be President Trump, but rather demand him to be a president of all people. Not just his voter base or the GOP in general, but the president of even the most adamant and critical Clinton supporters. Our fight must not be through criticism of his hair or his wife, but criticism of his policies - which we should be hopeful about, despite having legitimate concerns. We must and cannot cry wolf, but rather stay informed and educated so we can fight with facts. Simply, we must not fight in the way Donald Trump has - with personal, vile attacks. We must make sure our fight is as classy and gracious yet determined and resilient as both Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton themselves.
And maybe, just maybe, we should not only have hope in ourselves and our fight, but also in the President-elect.
Hope is what has carried us through the last eight years, and I have no doubt it will carry us through four more.
