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Congratulations, Mr. President-elect!
November 6, 2008
Congratulations, Mr. President-elect!
For the first time in my life, I can honestly say that I am proud of America. Americans have elected the first black
president. I didn’t think this would happen in my life time. This action alone doesn’t wash away all of the sins of racism
in the past, but it has begun a healing process that is much needed for America. It is the beginning of a journey of
inclusiveness that reflects a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic America.
When the people elected you for the presidency, they are placing their hope and aspiration not on you as a person, not
even on your position as the president, but on the ideal that America can be a great nation. A nation built on the
principle of justice and equality. A nation that believes in a truth that is self-evident, that “all men are
created equal.”
But you have inherited a nation in crisis. First of all, just because Americans have elected a black president, it
doesn’t mean that racism no longer exists in America. There are inequalities in education, income, housing, employment,
healthcare, and even the rates of incarceration, where race is the determining factor. Racism in America is systemic
because the average Americans allowed it to happen. Having a black person in the highest office doesn’t mean the
people at the middle level will practice and enforce a policy of racial equality. To be a nondiscriminatory person
requires a change in attitude. This change requires an education, not just a non-discrimination policy. Secondly, America is involved in
two wars: one unjust war in Iraq, and another unfinished war in Afghanistan. Third, and this is the real reason why you
were elected, America is in a severe economic crisis. It is in a deep and prolonged recession on the scale of the Great
Depression in the thirties.
As excited as I am at the reality of a black president in the United States of America, I am tempered by a myriad
of problems facing America, and by the real reason why you were elected. However, I believe you have the ability
to inspire hope and optimism. This, I believe, is your greatest strength.
One of my heroes is the great civil rights leader, Martin Luther King. I hope one day, I can say that President
Barack Obama is also one of my heroes.
Sincerely,
Tuan Tran
