Letters to President Obama from Fourth Graders in Harlem

By the time the school day began at 8:05 on Wednesday morning, I had already read what felt like hundreds of articles and listened to hundreds of commentators about this historic election. But, as my students entered the classroom chanting "Yes We Can" I knew that the 25 strongest voices in my life were yet to be heard.

Nothing has hit me as hard as the letters my 4th graders in Harlem wrote to their new president. A few are pasted below.

Dear President Obama,

I am so happy you are our new president! And it is not just because you are black, it is because you have some great ideas! And I wanted to be a singer, dancer, and actress but you open new doors for me. You open the doors for everybody. Now I think that now I can be the first female black president! And we went from black people not being able to vote and that changed and then black people never got a chance to be president but you changed that. And for that, it is like you are my and the whole world's hero!

Love (a 9 year old),
Tatiana

P.S. I won't put TV before homework.

Dear President Obama,

Congratulations. I'm glad we have our first black president and I'm glad we all (the United States) have a great president like you! I am very sorry about what happened with your grandmother, but I know if she was here right now, she will be very proud of you! I am very sure you will make the best decisions for all of America! I was hoping you can make a recycling rule to help something called Global Warming.

Love,
E'Raya

Dear President Obama,

I want to say you are the bomb. I love all your speeches. Even my grandma does. I feel sorry for your grandmother but she's there up in heaven watching over you. When you get to the white house you will have our help.

I'm so happy that you are becoming president. Can you make a change about the cops? They need to pay more attention at the Lincoln Tunnel.

Write back.

Your friend,
Asia

Dear President Obama,

I like the way you think about turning off the T.V. and letting kids do their homework. I know so many things that the people in the world want you to fix. Do you think you can do it? We CAN make change. I believe you. Everybody believes you. Barack, we can do it. Yes, we can.
Don't forget leadership and responsibility is what we are looking for.

Change we make. Change we believe.

Sincerely,
Hawa

Dear President Obama,

I knew you would win. You easily won by a landslide. Do you think you can lower taxes? Just 20 dollars. My mom wants to move. I do too. The house we want to move to cost twice as much. So, can you please do that? I hope you have a good time being president. I know I would. I also hope you get free time. How did you get to spend time with family and do the election? Also can you really bend the rules? If you can please make children do less homework. Especially on holidays. On holidays they load us with homework. One last request. I promise it's my last one. Can you make Friday a weekend like Saturday and Sunday?

Sincerely,
Darnell

Dear President Obama,

Congratulations on your win to be president of the United States of America. What are you going to change about littering, gas, and wars? Are you going to make hunting stop? Are you going to lower taxes? Are you going to give more money to schools? What are you going to do about stock markets? What are you going to do about parking spaces? What are you going to do about more jail time, book store prices, gas prices, robbers, the laws, houses, and long lines in Pathmark?

Your Biggest Fan,
Rafi

Dear Barack Obama,

My name is Shareef and I am writing to you to say congratulations on being the first black President. Your wife must be very proud of you. Also your kids too must be proud. Also I'm African American too and I might be just like you. When you get to the white house please try to stop the war for once and for all. Obama I'm very proud of you especially my mom. She's really proud because she woke up 5:30 AM to go vote for you and I went with her. Please write back to me when you get a chance. To tell you, I'm nine years old in the 4th grade. Obama, you're the man.

Sincerely,
Shareef

Comments

[SadieGirl]

What a joy to read from those young beautiful minds - those that will lead us into the future. They have a really good grasp of the issues and problems. Also some funny ones - I'm all for Friday's off too! You children are really our future. The torch has been passed and go forth and make President Obama proud. There is nothing you cannot accomplish if you believe. God Bless you all and our new President and his wonderful family.

[heal57]

This is so great. Kids writing to President-Elect Obama just made my evening. Thanks for posting.

[Rutabaga]

These are absolutely precious...I especially love Darnell's letter. Thank you so much to you and your students for sharing their thoughts with us!

[mangopaco]

Hey Ms. Lauren R. and kiddos!!!

As their ol' Reading teacher, I can say that this group is one of the most profound elementary-age kids I've ever taught. I miss them and am glad to read that they're doing well (and with an excellent teacher).

I hope that Obama lives up to their expectations. Mine too.

Thanks for sharing this,
Hugs all around,
Mr. L

[prima]

I found these letters to be absolutely beautiful. I'm twenty-two and just voted Democrat in my second presidential election. When I was in elementary school, I wrote a letter to Bill Clinton telling him that I liked him because he jogged every day and had a great dog. Sometimes, I feel like young people don't care about politics anymore and this election has changed my mind. Now, these fourth graders have given me a great hope for the future just as Mr. Obama has done. Yes we can, yes we did.

[Elneclare]

How beautiful to read of the hope, President Elect Obama gives to these 9 year olds.

It's a long way from when I was 9 and the local news show the letter I wrote along with those of my class mates, asking for gun control after Robert Kennedy was assassinated. That was also the year my class got to welcome the first black student at Somerset Elementary School, in Chevy Chase, MD. Tears come to my eyes, as i think how much has changed since that fateful year.

[boycottrightwingthings]

My dad, who is a retired teacher, (retired for only 5 years now) used to tell his students (predominately African Americans, he taught in the inner city) that someday, maybe even one of them, could be president of the United States. They would make noises like they didn't believe them. (He hoped and believed, cared and worried about them so much- an outstanding teacher!!) I bet they believe now!! My parents drove 8 hours to vote for Obama, they needed to do it in person, and both had tears in their eyes, dad thinking about those students!!

[d luv]

Ms. Rubinfield, thanks for sharing (what I've found) to be the greatest benefit of teaching: the magic of seeing/hearing things through the eyes of our children. This is so powerful!

[walk0nwalls]

Darnell's is freaking awesome

[mmgbizgirl]

Wow.

Here is my tribute to the President and his family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5QigRkg9G8

Enjoy!

[Rosey]

Dear Children, We loved your letters! You're beautiful. We all hope and pray for President Obama's success." I loved their requests -- especially for less homeworks and making Friday part of the weekend. Too cute - out of the mouth of babes!

[Rosey]

Too cute! I laughed out loud when I read the headline with the quote from Shareef about "your wife being proud"-- out of the mouths of children...... then I read them all and my eyes got misty....wow! Dear Kids, we hope and we believe too!

[alchto3]

Lauren (and kids) I hope you read this. This is their second grade teacher, I'm so incredibly proud of you guys... you were just as brilliant and articulate as second graders and it's clear you have a great teacher this year. You've always been amazing, inspiring children and I've learned as much from you as I hope you've learned from me.

I miss you and I hope to come visit soon.

YES WE CAN!

Mr. C

[MissKaren]

Kids are wonderful. I hope Obama's election makes them hit the books and excel at everything they do.

[JustJoeKing]

One of the best things I've read in quite some time. Thank you and thank the budding young minds that expressed themselves so eloquently.