Dear Mr. President…

Last night was the most incredible night of my life, plain and simple! But first let me backtrack to me standing in amazement and disbelief with my fellow Americans in a jam-packed bar in the Lower East Side of New York City.

In my 21 years in the USA, I had come to give up hope in our so called “democratic” government. I guess it’s because I’ve never seen any of the good changes most politicians talk about trickle down to my family, friends or neighbors. Nor did I feel like my President connected or represented the real middle-class of America. I really felt you guys were out of touch. I mean John McCain doesn’t realize there are families surviving off of $30-60,000 a year because he has money longer than the eye can see. His idea of middle class in America is the people in the $250,000 tax bracket, so he wasn’t lying when he accused you of wanting to tax the middle class — it’s just that he is a bit more disconnected. Then I heard you speak. Mr. Obama, you made me feel like I was giving up too early. I would find myself losing hope or moreso not believing that this country would elect a Black man for its leader.

I mean, George Bush did serve two full terms as the country’s worst president and we watched him as he hoodwinked and bamboozled all of us. While we called him stupid and watched his bloopers on YouTube, he was getting over on us, getting fat while we starved. But today I realize we have grown so much as a people and as a nation.

For the first time in 22 years, I walked the streets of NYC without a feeling of separation between young African-American males and the rest of the world. Asians, blacks, whites, Jews, Christians, Atheist, Muslims, gays and straight, all celebrating this great leap towards a fluorescent future in the name of Obama. You have restored hope in America, but more importantly pride! Last night I sang the national anthem with a feeling my vocabulary will not allow me to describe. No longer will I tell people I’m from Canada. As of today, Nov. 5, 2008, I am proud to be an American and will represent my country with great pride.

You gave little black children around the world a new hero. Move over MJ, LeBron and Kobe. Instead of grabbing a pair of J’s and trying Be Like Mike, our youth now has another option: grab a pair of loafers and Be Like Obama. Thank you for setting off this spark. I know you are just the first of many changes to come.

With love, respect and admiration,

Konate A.Primus