A Letter to President-Elect Obama

I am an Iraqi citizen who has been living in this country for over 10 years. I have believed in your campaign from the start; supported you when you were down in the polls; volunteered in the Colorado primary: helped setting up tables, greeted people and directed them to their precincts.

 

Your nomination was my own victory as it was every American's. I cheered and celebrated. And when the Election Day was dawning upon us, I went canvassing. I knocked on doors; I called people in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. I believed and so did millions of us.

 

I rallied people and made the case on your behalf. I couldn't vote. I couldn't contribute money. But I believed.

 

Mr. President-elect: I am an American not by birth; not by naturalization, but by virtue of living in this great country and I have every right to be proud of you and your achievement.

 

On November 4th, America told us that she has been ready for this moment; that she has always been the land of opportunities, freedom, and hope. It took a son of hers to remind us that hope is not a dream, but a reality within our reach. It took a son of hers to remind us that the power of change is within us; that our achievements can be as big as our dreams.

 

To the cynics, who thought a son of a Muslim and a Christian; a man of a different skin color, couldn't possibly lead this nation: we proved you wrong.

 

To those who discouraged us, scared us, and alienated us: we proved you wrong.

 

To those who thought that we would be complacent and neglect our duty towards this country: we proved you wrong.

 

On that historic day, we learned that we should be better; that we can be better; that we ARE better. That day reminded us why this nation is the greatest nation on earth and why it will remain a beacon of inspiration in a world where it's easy to succumb to our worst fears and doubts. That day reminded us why this land will remain the land where aspirations can become real in a world of difficulty and hardship.

 

That day was our day. That moment was our moment.

 

We believed. We dreamed. But we also worked hard and never lost sight of what was at stake.

 

Mr. President-elect: yes we can; yes we can become great and not settle for good because "good" isn't good enough; yes we can re-build what has been damaged; yes we can be leaders in our families, neighborhoods, and communities and take it upon ourselves to make a difference; yes we can harness our own strengths and work together to make a positive change each and every step of the way. Yes we can be a leader that is fair and just in a world of injustice and cruelty.

 

Yes We Can.

 

I promise God, you, and this great nation that I will do everything I can to help as we embark on this journey of ours.

 

May God bless you, protect you, and guide you to what's good for this country and humanity all over the world.