Mr. PRESIDENT, THIS IS MY LETTER EXPLAINING WHY I WOULD VOTE FOR HILARY AND ALSO A REQUEST FOR MADAME MICHELLE OBAMA TO CONTEST AS THE PRESIDENT OF U.S.A. AFTER 2020.

Now that I’ve made my point, I would also like to add that my letter to you is not an urgent issue rather a long term issue. You may not be able to read it within your quota of 10 letters per day but I do request that you read my letter at leisure, preferably with Madame Obama and Madame Clinton if possible. I am a small town Indian girl in my late 20s. This is my personal letter to you and Madame Obama, but my words are the words of a million young men and women in the world.

America is a very important country.  Imagine the whole world is like a family. America is like that favourite child of the family: some love to admire her, some love to hate her. But no matter what, she is always under spotlight. America’s choices, America’s actions, America’s decisions and America’s moves are always being dissected, scrutinized, criticized and occasionally praised. And it is intriguing especially for an Asian like me because I am personally aware of so many landmarks and achievements that other countries and nations have accomplished MUCH BEFORE America.

Take India for example. India has already had a female head of the state 36 years ago. Of course she didn’t do it alone but then who does achieve such a milestone alone? And while I’m not particularly a fan of Madame Gandhi or the legacy she leaves behind, you’ve got to admit she was powerful! Not only that, we have also had our first female president about 9 years ago. While the president of India is not really the most powerful, yet she holds the power to call for an emergency and let’s not forget, she is the supreme commander of our defense forces. Yes, India, however grudgingly, let a woman be the head of army, navy and air force. Women in Asia could vote much before women in North America. Take your neighbour Canada for example. Prime Minister Trudeau appointed a multicultural gender balanced cabinet with his accession to the post. AND, he continues to make waves in contemporary burning issues such as transgender and LGBTQ rights. (You can tell I have a soft spot for Canada, my husband is Canadian.) Nigeria has banned female genital mutilation quite recently. Given Nigeria’s economic and societal situation, this is a huge achievement. And so many other examples I can go on.

Yet, America it is that we love to talk about all the time. This, despite the fact that America is still “struggling” to appoint its first female president in 2016. Let me say that again. IN 2016. Pathetic is it not? 2016 is not the year when we should be telling little girls they can be anything they want. That should have been implied way back in the 90’s.This “indecision” would be justified if Madame Clinton were any less experienced or less capable. But not only is she super qualified, she used to be a lawyer, and she actively advocates for women’s rights: namely abortion rights. And who are we pitting her against? Don’t even get me started on that! Be that as it may. I’m not going to dwell on or debate America’s popularity.  The point is, America is being watched. With so much popularity comes tremendous responsibility. I know it is unfair that America alone is expected to tackle racism, misrepresentation and gender disparity. But like I said, despite all the progress made everywhere else, it is America that we look at. Therefore, it is America’s responsibility to tackle these issues to the best of her ability.

I’m not an American citizen but if I was I would vote for Hilary. I am also smart enough to know that US elections affect us all. There are honestly way more serious issues to mull over than guarding anthems and flags; and defining nationality for everybody else and their grandfathers. We have climate, racial and gender issues to talk about. I am not one for patriotism anyways. I believe in being a global citizen. A lot of us do. Especially non-Caucasian women. We care about our safety, health and opportunities more than a country’s pride and glory (or religion). Madame Hilary Clinton might very well turn out to be all the things she is accused of. (And which politician is a saint?) But for us women, it is enough that she speaks for us and our rights. For our sake, Madame Clinton must become the president of one of the most strategic nations in the world. And I don’t see why our claim should not be taken seriously. Women make up 49.5% of the world’s population. We make up half of this world: HALF. That is a huge number.  At least huge enough to have a representation from one among us at least to make our living conditions better, if not for any better reason. The first step in this direction is to make America elect its first female president. Mr. President when you were elected as the first black president, not only did you have blacks and non-blacks in America cheering for you. But the rest of the non-Caucasian world. That again is a huge portion of the world. You Sir, with your ethnicity and background and hard work, embody the basic hope and dream for 90% of the world’s population that we can be anything we want to. I’m sure you respect that kind of admiration and understand the implication of your election under such circumstances. Can you therefore imagine what 49.5% of the world feels like when we are given the hope that a woman can be anything she wants to be? With Madame Clinton’s victory, we see that dream taking shape. I am grateful to you for endorsing the most needed candidate.

Now we all know not all women are voting for Madame Clinton. But by now it is also clear to us that not all women are committed to women’s rights and empowerment. Just like not all men are women haters. At this point in history, our world is divided into sections and the battle is no longer between sexes but between these sections. It is foolish not to fight for the empowerment and equality of an entire suppressed gender. But we are humans. We make errors. We are also correcting our errors. Madame Clinton’s nomination is a step in the right direction. Yes history has been made. But this is just the first step. There needs to be more history made. The next step would be a female president of US, a woman of colour. Sir you and Madame Obama have given us all some serious career, relationship and parenting goals. And I am really rooting for you and your family even after your term gets over. I sincerely hope Madame Obama, you would consider running for president of United States sometime in the future. You embody hope, courage, faith, strength, confidence and an immense cultural pride for 49.5% of the world’s population. That is a tremendously influential reason why (I think) you should consider my request. Mr. President Sir, I don’t have to tell you that Madame Obama is extremely qualified to represent the U.S. as head of the state. In fact you could give me and all of us a lesson on why she should be.

Mr. President Sir you are a very busy man and I am not expecting a reply from you. I just want you to know that you and Madame Obama are admired and respected by millions and we hope to see many more miracles from the pair of you. I wish you both happiness and success for your daughters.

A humble fan and denizen of the world.