Dear Mr. Obama,
As I write this to you for a class my senior year at Loyola Marymount University, I had been reminiscing on all of the moments I have looked at a picture of you standing in the Oval Office and thinking to myself, “Don’t stop. You can do it. Keep Pushing” I don’t necessarily have presidential aspirations, at least not yet, but you did the impossible. You were (and still are…#NotMyPresident) literally the President of the United States. Despite every hurdle, obstacle, and distraction you endure on your way to the White House, you did it. You did it without one scandal and you along with Mrs. Obama led this country with the utmost grace and respect. You are the beacon of hope we needed. You reminded us that no matter what we face, it can be conquered, it can happen. Thank you 44.
I remember the day you were elected and exactly where I was and what I was doing. “Hope,” A 13-year-old me read as my muscles throbbed looking up at the gym screen. I had aspiring basketball dreams. I’m sure you know all about that and we can play one on one anytime you are ready to lose. As I watched the electoral college vote pass over the 270 mark I cheered and almost shed a tear. All of my life up to that point, I never thought that their would be a Commander in Chief that looked like me. I remember looking at history books and pictures of the presidents as a young boy in elementary school seeing the first 43 presidents of the United States were all white men. I never thought we would see the day, but you did it. You actually did it. I couldn’t believe it. At your inauguration, you spoke with such eloquence, conviction, and humility. It was on that historic day that you spoke, “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” You have motivated me from that day to be the best in everything I do no matter what it may be. Whenever I go through a tough time or tribulation that life inevitably throws at me, I look at you and remember “I can do it.” I can persevere.
When the 2012 election night came around, hope was still in the air and it was thriving. “Yes WE Can!” shouts resonated throughout the different programs showing your supporters throughout the country. I shouted right along with them because you changed history. Not only did you win one election, you won two. And with those two terms you have rescued us from the Great Recession (could have been avoided), ended the war in Iraq, ordered the capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden, saved the auto industry, passed environment protection policies (clean energy, etc.), provided health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans, and the list can go on for days but you get the point. Don’t ever let anyone tell you, you failed. Some may try to paint you in a different light but always remember that you did one thing the history books can never hide or change and that is you instilled hope and perseverance in a generation of young Americans that can never be taken away. I look at you and see the true embodiment of success and perseverance. You were the promised land Martin dreamed of. A black man as the president and not just serving him (America fears women in power). So with everything that I have said, one last time, Thank you 44.
You are MY President.
Dylan Joseph
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