Dear President Obama,

After reading Alice Walker's letter to President Obama, it inspired me to write my own. I invite you to do the same; it is quite healing. If you are a parent, I recommend you invite your children to write one too. They can put it in a time capsule, nothing extravagent, and revisit it years from now. As for me, I will share mine with you, put it in an envelope and then read it after President Obama's first term has expired.

Dear President Obama,
Where do I begin? There are so many things I want to say to you and as I try to formulate the thoughts that become words, I find them speeding off the highway of my mind so swiftly that I cannot write them fast enough. Therefore, please forgive me if I appear to be all over the place with this letter.

It has been three days since we elected you President and I still cry when I think about it, or when I see anything that reflects you and/or your beautiful family, or when someone walks by me and smiles that giddy smile of elation. By the way, you may not know this, but you and I are both Virgos. Because of this fact, it does not surprise me one bit that you are brilliant and possibly vain:) On the flip side of that, I also imagine that you are your own worse critic, so I lovingly advise you to remember to take care of yourself. Our tendencies as Virgos is to care for others before we care for ourselves. Due to the demands you will face, you are in no position to make that mistake. Of course I am sure Michelle will play an instrumental role in ensuring you center yourself, as I imagine she has since you were brilliant enough to ask her to be your partner in this amazing thing called life.

Speaking of Michelle! I have a woman crush on your wife! She is amazing! She reminds me of so many other black women who are, and have been the rock, backbones and anchor of their families, communities and the world, even. I am going to say this and I will probably catch a lot of flack for saying it, but I've never mind that one bit! I have made it a habit to speak from my heart, and my intent is never to harm. Besides, those that know me, know my heart. That being said,it is significant to me that your wife is an African-American woman. I realize that you are so far evolved when it comes to this that you honestly did not see her color when you fell in love with her, but you have no idea of the implication I feel this has for so many black women. Most folk won't talk openly about it, but you best believe the conversation is being had!

We as black women have carried a heavy burden which I am sure you are aware of, Sir. The irony of it all where you are concerned is that your mother, a white woman, bore you, and here you are a symbol of hope for all people. That is simply beautiful, and I honor here for that. No if ands or buts. As well I honor your father with the same conditions. Nevertheless, for me as a black woman, and I want to be careful to speak for myself, because I dare not wish another to speak on my behalf when I disagree, I have yet to find a way to reconcile the memories of the past that haunt me in the present. Memories my ancestors demand I hold fast too, not as a weapon of bitterness but as a testament of pride. I do not wish to allow memories to enslave me, I only keep them alive to honor my ancestors and to remind myself of the fortitude I possess as an African-American woman. God knows we are amazing beings!

I guess what I am trying to say President Obama, is that in my mind, race still matters. Regardless of how we as a country camouflage, mask, sugarcoat, fairytale around it, it matters. And it is my belief that it will continue to matter with such vehement presence until we authentically address it...pain, shame and all. So back to Michelle. It is important to me that my children see positive images of me in others. Of course I must lead that parade, but it is important to me that I look back at my reflection and see other positive images. That is who Michelle is to me, she is a reflection of me as a black woman. She is a reminder that we as African-Americans can have united, strong, committed families. That we are the American story too. That there is nothing wrong with two people loving each other regardless of what color they come in, and if that love reflects itself in two shades of brown, then it too is beautiful. For so long we as a people have been led to believe that our love was flawed. I imagine it began with the atrocities of slavery. But you and Michelle, and so many others who have decided to raise our children in loving households remind us that we are whole, perfect and complete, even with out short-comings. I guess this is so personal for me, Mr. President because I have yet to master that formula for myself.

So why I don't expect you to solve all of our problems whether overnight or at all, I do have high expectations for you when it comes to the authenticity needed in racial dialogue. I think that it is the underlying hope within a lot of people regardless of color. That you will come to the table and talk to us openly, freely and candidly about things that pain us to discuss, but nevertheless, we trust you, based on what we've experienced of you, to begin that conversation for the sake of all sides, in a way that the truth, crushed to the ground rises.

Lastly, I am indebted to you for the sacrifice you have undertaken. The sacrifice to yourself, your wife and to your beautiful daughters that you have been blessed to parent. I am honored you thought enough of me and countless others to serve this country and ultimately the world in a way that births a new freedom. Thank you so much. I commit to you that I will do all that I can to be the best me. I will let my light shine so that it connects with the light in others and reminds them of the magnificence of who they are. After all, that is what you have done for me.

I am knowing nothing less than peace, love, happiness, protection, health, accomplishment and joy for you.

God bless you President Obama.

In Love, Peace & Blessings,
Marina