Dear Secretary Clinton:
Today, my second-grade son Caleb assumed the presidency of his class and gave his official acceptance speech. He’s been practicing this speech since the day I arrived home from Philadelphia where I was one of your Texas delegates. His campaign theme was “Stronger Together.”
After looking at the many souvenirs I brought home from the convention, he disappeared in the restroom and returned later with a self-recorded video espousing the values on the strength of America’s collective diversity. (It’s a pretty awesome speech. I’d love to show it to you sometime.)
Caleb was a fan of yours and rooted with me for a successful presidential bid.
However, that wasn’t always the case.
Last year, when he discovered I was supporting you, he asked why I wasn’t supporting another Black man for president. To him, his twin brother and our other 11-year-old son, having a Black president was the norm and they knew there was another African American man in the race. I explained that I was casting my lot with a candidate whose decades of experience and commitment to human rights just happened to be in the form of a woman.
“Can a girl be president,” he asked?
“Mommy is a girl. Do you think I could be president?” I followed.
“Of course,” he exclaimed.
“Then so can she,” I stated.
From that moment, he and his brothers followed the campaign until the end falling asleep with half-colored electoral maps last Tuesday night.
When they awoke last Wednesday, they were greeted by their father who explained that I was still in bed and couldn’t take them to school. I was curled in a ball crying unwilling to face the day. I kissed them goodbye, gave a few words of comfort, and sent them on their way.
Caleb stayed back a little and asked, “What will Hillary Clinton do now?”
“I don't know. But, whatever she does, it will be great,” I responded.
After forcing myself to move through the rest of the week, Caleb reminded me that his acceptance speech and reception was today. So, I went out and bought patriotic-themed cupcakes and he signed autographs on red and blue cards with tiny American flags to distribute to his classmates.
As he practiced his speech, I could hear the “Stronger Together” sentiment was still there.
Then it hit me that I was right you doing something great in the future. You've taught the next generation to dream BIG. And, you've encouraged the rest of us to keep believing. That's some major greatness in itself.
Thank you for an amazing journey these last 18 months.
And, thank you in advance for what your candidacy will do for my son's future.
Sincerely,
Caleb's Mom
Today, my second-grade son Caleb assumed the presidency of his class and gave his official acceptance speech. He’s been practicing this speech since the day I arrived home from Philadelphia where I was one of your Texas delegates. His campaign theme was “Stronger Together.”
After looking at the many souvenirs I brought home from the convention, he disappeared in the restroom and returned later with a self-recorded video espousing the values on the strength of America’s collective diversity. (It’s a pretty awesome speech. I’d love to show it to you sometime.)
Caleb was a fan of yours and rooted with me for a successful presidential bid.
However, that wasn’t always the case.
Last year, when he discovered I was supporting you, he asked why I wasn’t supporting another Black man for president. To him, his twin brother and our other 11-year-old son, having a Black president was the norm and they knew there was another African American man in the race. I explained that I was casting my lot with a candidate whose decades of experience and commitment to human rights just happened to be in the form of a woman.
“Can a girl be president,” he asked?
“Mommy is a girl. Do you think I could be president?” I followed.
“Of course,” he exclaimed.
“Then so can she,” I stated.
From that moment, he and his brothers followed the campaign until the end falling asleep with half-colored electoral maps last Tuesday night.
When they awoke last Wednesday, they were greeted by their father who explained that I was still in bed and couldn’t take them to school. I was curled in a ball crying unwilling to face the day. I kissed them goodbye, gave a few words of comfort, and sent them on their way.
Caleb stayed back a little and asked, “What will Hillary Clinton do now?”
“I don't know. But, whatever she does, it will be great,” I responded.
After forcing myself to move through the rest of the week, Caleb reminded me that his acceptance speech and reception was today. So, I went out and bought patriotic-themed cupcakes and he signed autographs on red and blue cards with tiny American flags to distribute to his classmates.
As he practiced his speech, I could hear the “Stronger Together” sentiment was still there.
Then it hit me that I was right you doing something great in the future. You've taught the next generation to dream BIG. And, you've encouraged the rest of us to keep believing. That's some major greatness in itself.
Thank you for an amazing journey these last 18 months.
And, thank you in advance for what your candidacy will do for my son's future.
Sincerely,
Caleb's Mom
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