An Open Letter to My Son

Dear Mekhi,
It is the eve of the most historic Presidential election in my lifetime and I am sure in the history of the United States. The race is between an African –American man with the unlikely name of Barack Obama and Senator John McCain whose running mate is a woman. If either of this men get elected it will make history.

Senator Obama is the child of a white mother and a Kenyan father. He was primarily raised by his grandmother – who unfortunately passed away today before seeing the outcome of the election. He is a graduate of Harvard, the first African – American editor of the law review, and spent a good deal of his life after law school as a community organizer in Chicago. The child of a single mother, his life clearly is an illustration of the American dream fulfilled.

I believe that Senator Obama is the best man for the job. His platform is Change and I do believe that after having the Republicans in office for eight years it is high time for a change. Our economy is in shambles, we are in a recession and we need forward thinking in the White House.

I proudly voted for him in both the primary and the general election. The primary race was a hard one, he ran against Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of President Clinton. She fought a hard race but in the end our man came out on top. I have to share with you that placing my vote for Senator Obama in the primary was surreal. I could not believe that I was casting my vote for a black man for the highest office in the land – no, the world.

Senator Obama gave his acceptance speech on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial. It was history that I shared at home with my mother, your grandmother. She is writing a letter to you too. We want you to be able to share our memories of this time with your children and grandchildren.

Whenever I think of the possibility of Senator Obama becoming President tears well up in my eyes. I am listening to the tv and at 11:00 pm at night people are already lining up to vote in Atlanta. They are camping out and holding a prayer vigil. Tomorrow I will be volunteering for the Obama campaign and providing food and beverages for the people waiting in line to vote. I voted early, the long lines were anticipated and I thought my time would be of better use assisting others on the day of the Election.

Regardless of the outcome this gives me hope. Hope that my beautiful baby boy will have the opportunity to dream of becoming the President of this nation and that it can actually be a reality. In 17 years when you are able to vote I hope that this election will not seem as unique and unusual as it does today.

I am sorry if this letter rambles, I am writing without editing or concern for form or fashion. I will leave you with something that I read today that resonates with me. Hopefully it will stay with you forever.

"Rosa sat so Martin could walk.
Martin walked — so Barack could run.
Barack ran so our children can fly."

Fly Mekhi fly. This Presidential race proves that there is truly nothing beyond your reach.

I love you.

Mommy