Dear Michelle:
I know how important it is being the president of the United States. Well...I can imagine how important it is being the president of the United States.
However, I believe in many respects that being the First Lady of the United States is in many respects harder. You have to be on point at all times. You cannot have a hair out of place. Your style, your facial expressions, your words, and your looks all are being closely critiqued, analyzed and over-analyzed. In a country where the president can be unattractive or old, the First Lady is expected to be anything but. She is expected to be a role model and become and active listener to the country's woes, and be unwavering in her support for her husband, who is busy leading the nation.
Michelle, I believe with all my heart that you nailed all of these expectations and more.
You channel Jackie Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt in the way you carry yourself, your style, and your caring about the people you and your husband lead. I am so deeply appreciative of that, and I know I am not the only one.
You aren't afraid to be controversial, but you aren't controversial for controversy's sake. For example, being the first black First Lady and saying you were aware every day that slaves built the White House? I didn't think that was inappropriate at all. To me, you were saying that we have made such great progress already, but we cannot forget where we have come from. I think your comment transcended race. We as Americans take so much for granted without always thinking about the fight, the suffering, and the pain that it took to get to where we are. Your awareness of that is not inappropriate; it is extraordinary.
Overall, there wasn't a whole lot that I had to say. I watched the DNC, I've watched your speeches, and I've watched a lot of interviews with you, one of my favorites being when you told teenage girls everywhere to not settle for the first boy they meet; to really figure out who they are and to be true to themselves. And then you said, quite cheekily, that you ended up marrying the president of the United States of America, and I cant help but want to say thank you. Thank you for showing that women can be classy, strong, smart, and laid back and funny, and most importantly, get stuff done. You are the avant garde. You are a pioneer. I am so proud that we have had a First Lady like Jackie, like Eleanor, in my life time.
When you run for president, I stand with you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For everything.
