To my daughter on November 5,
I told you that November 4th was an important day. What I didn’t tell you, because I don’t share my cynicism with you just yet, is that last November 4th I’d have said I really didn’t think this could happen. Because I haven’t told you this, either, but your daddy has had the n-word shouted at him more than once since we’ve been married — not because he’s black, but because his skin isn’t white, and despite our living in a neighborhood where hatred like that supposedly doesn’t exist anymore.Â
But last night, I sat on the sofa with you, watching a mixed-race man give his victory speech. I don’t know if the man America has elected will be able to follow through on his campaign promises. Maybe so, maybe not. Here’s what I do know: Already, the world you’ll grow up in is different than the one your mommy did. But more importantly, the world you’ll have is different than the one your daddy did, a world that has dreams that aren’t just dreams now, but possibilities — and realities.
And so when you tell me that you want to be President, and that maybe you can “be the first girl President,” I can say — and believe – that maybe you can.Â
But considering that you’re five, and that you’ve got thirty years to go before you’re even eligible to run for that office, I trust you’ll forgive me when I hope you aren’t the first.Â
The second or third would be awesome, though.
Beautiful, Meljean. I hope she makes it–and that she’s not the first.
*cries like a baby*
Awesome.
*sniff*
yay!
Lovely letter, Meljean.
All daughters and sons should be able to grow up KNOWING that they can be anything that they want to as an adult. Obama is the first step to achieving a world where that is possible and I hope that he really is everything he says he is.
Awwwwww *sniff*
Meljean, girl !
You’ve got me bawling in the office…
Stop making me cry, dammit!
Your daughter is one lucky girl, Meljean.
Amen to that! Amen to that.
Great post. Having two daughters who are mixed race, I’ve had those same thoughts myself.
That is so sweet.
Awesome.
Thank you for sharing with us the wonderful post and thoughts to your daughter.
I think I squealed last night from disbelief and joy. For the first time, we have the most real proof that no matter your ethnic background, in America, you can achieve anything you put your mind to.
Awesome. That is such a beautiful letter to your daughter.
Ameen. You sum up our thoughts (and ideals!) so eloquently. I have no doubt that Meljean Brook, Jr. will go on to become a tour-de-force!!
What a wonderful message to your daughter. She is very fortunate to have parents that will surely help guide her way to the presidency (or other equally great things)!
It still feels like a good day.
The great thing is, I also feel good because I voted solely on the issues and policy, and many of those with my daughter in mind — and there was no racial motivation either for or against when I cast my vote. So this particular change — which is truly a historic moment, whatever an individual’s position on issues and policy — was just a bonus.
Anyway. I don’t talk politics much here and that’s not going to change, but I also feel that this was something that transcends politics and the question of who was going to be President.
And conversation around the Thanksgiving dinner table down at my parents’ house might be really interesting this year
Everytime Barack said, “yes we can”, a chill went down my spine. Yes, we can whoever we are, in whatever we do.
Ok – you made me cry. That was really great Meljean.
As I told my daughters (6 & 10 years old) that no matter who you vote for you take a risk. We never know what will happen once a candidate gets into office. But it is definitely nice knowing that the world our kids grow up in will be different.
Well, yes you know the parentals did not vote for Obama…but you know we support that little wonder girl of your with everything we are. I so believe that she can be anything she wants. I also can’t wait for Thanksgiving day now!
Echo — our parentals are the reason I can marry the man I have, and have the daughter I do, and probably why I’m a writer. It’s definitely not them, or their political party — as far as I can see, we only disagree about policy and issues. If the situation had been different and their candidate had been mixed race and mine white, they’d have still voted for their guy. Yeah?
:slashyhug:
Beautiful!
My parents married across ethnic lines in Massachusetts a generation ago, at a time when the marriage certificate still asked them to tick color boxes. They wrote ‘white’ and ‘brown’ respectively.
One of the changes I hope will occur, if it hasn’t already, is for such information no longer to be considered relevant to collect.
*sniff*
Beautiful letter and thank you for sharing.
Meljean,
I know that my niece, your daughter, is way to intelligent to want to be president. She will change the world in even geater and more significant ways.
And yes the parental units are staunch republicans.