Dear President Obama,
I would like to thank you.
Today, the tired voices of protesters across the country may take a well-deserved rest, as you have finally employed your executive power to halt construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, demand an environmental impact statement, and call for a rerouting of the project. Although the pipeline is almost completed, the remaining twenty miles of the project will not be proceeding as planned and will no longer be built through land of cultural significance to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and near a major body of water.
This is not only a victory for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, but also a clear representation that even in the darkest of times, we the people have the power to resist and defeat looming, dangerous things that may seem bigger than us.
Ever since I was single digits years old, you've been fighting for marriage equality, stood up for women's autonomy, advocated for safer gun laws, and denounced xenophobic, racist behavior. In every way, you have been an ideal role model to young people like myself and taught us that progress is made with patience, persistence, and hard work.
Now, as I am sure you are aware, many of those same young people are distraught at the thought of a future United States led with the application of prejudice, inexperience, self-interest, and condescension. Some have described the past few weeks as a "mourning period," for what we have and what could have been.
In a time when it seems as though all of these qualities we so loathe have seemingly "won," it is critical to remember that this does not mean that the respect, grace, kindness, and care that we have experienced during your presidency are gone forever. Today, the decision to stand with Standing Rock proved just how far a little patience, persistence and hard work can carry a person. This decision will forever epitomize the power of a good cause and the relentless efforts behind it that induce success. This decision serves as a meaningful beacon of hope for our future and an incentive to fight for what is right.
Thank you for paying attention. Thank you for listening to the voices of people across the country. Thank you for giving hope where and when it is needed.
