- Eichel Davis
Thank You, Mr. President
On a cold November night in 2008, I remember staying up ever so late to see the moment that brought tears to my grandmother’s eyes, and a smile to my mom’s face. Squeezed into our one bedroom apartment (yes all of us), we sat on my grandmother’s bed, and watched as Barack Obama inched toward that magic number of 270. That year was a hard one for us, just like everyone else. We had lost a lot, but in those moments it wasn’t even a twinkle in our eyes. Because as the Breaking News banner swept across the screen, and Barack was projected the 44th President of the United States Of America, hope was igniting a little candle in all of our souls.
And that lasted throughout Obama’s presidency. That hope of a better day. The promise of Yes We Can. The dawn of what we had before, of what we had all lost.
I’m not here to debate policy, or records. I’m not here to talk about how liberal or progressive he was. I’m not here to talk about his blackness. I’m here to simply say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you, first and foremost, for being genuine, and truthful, and honest. I know the job requires some bending, but you held your head up through it all, led the best you could, and picked us up through countless a tragedy. Charleston, Sandy Hook, Boston, in our darkest days, you provided that fire once more. That candle in the darkness.
Thank you for the great work you did to protect all your people. No matter race, age, gender, religion, or sexuality, we are all righteous in the image of God. We’ve got some work to do, yes. We’ve got some hard conversations, some walls to tear down, some hearts to soften, and some laws to change, as we strive toward our founders creed that All Men are created equal. But through your presidency, you bolted us forward toward that goal.
Thank you for allowing us to share your beautiful family. Thank you for supporting your impassioned and steady wife, Michelle. And thank you Michelle for showing how powerful black women can be. Thank you Sasha and Malia for forging your own paths. You helped all of us realize we could to the same.
And yes, you weren’t perfect. And I understand that. I did not agree with everything you did. And you left some things unfinished. But in your final days, and as time grows on, we will remember the good you did over the places where you fell short.
And lastly know this, Mr. President. We still got it, our hope you instilled in us 8 years ago. Hope of brighter days, and shorter restless nights, and better futures. Hope for our families, and for our friends, and for everyone who calls this, the greatest country in the world, home.
We still have the audacity to hope.
So once more, Thank you Mr. President. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I will miss you oh so dearly,
Eichel | @EichelGDavis
