It Means More

For Social Studies we’ve been discussing leaders and presidents. I was taken by the number of times my 5th graders have brought up Obama and the presidential race. The 5th graders in my previous class (from a rural town states away) didn’t seem to keep up with what was going on in the news like my new class of 5th graders, but I think it means something more to them. They have obviously made a decision of who would get their vote if they had a say at their young age.

As one of our discussions this last week led back to McCain, Obama, and presidents before, a student spoke up and said, “It’s not fair. All of our presidents have always been old, white men.” There was a sadness and sound of defeat that I didn’t expect, but he’s right. It’s not fair.

I was having a conversation with a young adult about this the other night. I took it and attempted to create a poem in two voices.

It Means More

I think more than anything, these 5th graders want to see a man who isn’t white in the White House.
I know people in my high school who want to see the same thing, too.
It’s hard when so many things hold them down… and all they want is to see someone who can rise above the issues and be something great.
These kids walk around with “I love Obama” shirts and other stuff.
They like him because he isn’t white.
They like him because he isn’t white, because he represents a chance.
They have no clue about who he is politically.
It’s not necessarily about what he stands for politically.
It is sad.
It means more to them.

I explained to my students the chance we will have this school year to witness history, either with Obama being the first President who isn’t an “old, white man” or by Palin being the first female Vice President. My students really need to see the former, and I am hopeful at the opportunity to share in their moment of empowerment and encourage them that they, too, can rise above and achieve great things… with the reminder that it’s not easy and no one is giving them anything. It’s all on them, their desires, and their choices.