“America is not the project of any one person,” says Obama.
Addressing the American citizens for the one last time as their president, Barack Obama on Thursday wrote a letter thanking them for the support and encouragement that they gave him for the last eight years.
In an emotional letter, Obama wrote, “Before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th.
“Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better president, and you made me a better man,” he added.
The letter touches both high and low ebbs of this eight years in White House as he recollected the tough times Americans had to endure after the Charleston Church massacre and merry times after the legalization of same-sex marriage, both during his presidency.
Obama also urged Americans to enjoy their work of citizenship regardless of their political affiliation.
“I’ve seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I’ve seen our future unfolding,” he said.
“All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work – the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.”
In the letter, Obama commits to staying engaged with the social issues even after leaving the White House. Earlier, Obama said during his final press conference that when he feels the core principles of the United States is in danger he will speak up.
“I’ll be right there with you every step of the way,” he wrote. “And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We shall overcome.'”
“Yes, we can,” he added.
The letter also saw the outgoing president making subtle digs at Donald Trump, invoking issues that they fail to see eye to eye including his Obamacare health scheme, which Trump said would be repealed once he takes office.
Obama also said that even young children reminded us of our “obligations to care for refugees.”
Obama concludes the letter saying: “America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We shall overcome.’”