Kerry answers little girl's letter

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Kerry answers little girl's letter
2
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 3:05pm
The orginial post: http://www.democrats.org/blog/display/00010683.html

I'm posting the whole story which is found: http://blog.johnkerry.com/blog/archives/001754.html#001754

Dear John to Dear Abby

Does John Kerry read Dear Abby every day? I checked with our clipping guys, and they haven't been scanning Dear Abby, so I assume it has to be John.

Here's the background: A few days ago, Dear Abby got a letter from an unhappy 13-year old girl who was being teased by her classmates after revealing her ambition to be president of the United States. (I have a long-standing addiction to Dear Abby. Over the years, I have come to see her as one of those rare public truth tellers. And not just her common sense advice about all the personal problems with our wives, lovers, friends, and children. I have found that she is often a political early-warning service, highlighting issues that are troubling people around the country that the papers that carry her column are ignoring. And in the case of this letter, as the father of two teenage daughters, I'm especially sensitive to anyone who slights the ambitions of young women.)

The letter that started it all: DEAR ABBY: I am a 13-year-old girl in the eighth grade. For my Health and Human Services class, I had to do an oral report about my future career. I have wanted to be president of the United States since fifth grade. But when I said that, my teacher laughed at me. He told me I had very little chance of making it, although he didn't say why.

Then, "Jim," another student, started laughing hysterically and said girls aren't allowed to be president. I said, "Yeah, and I'll bet the idiots who came up with that idea were guys!" I was so upset I ran out of the room.

Now, a group of kids at school have started calling me names and spreading rumors about me. Jim even tripped me and made me bite my lip. I try to ignore them, but it's hard. They keep laughing at me, and my teacher is no help. I am losing sleep and feel horrible.

Abby, I didn't realize so much trouble could come out of revealing a dream. It's not like I am not ambitious enough. I'm in the National Junior Honor Society and my poetry has been published in the paper more than once.

I have tried talking to the guidance counselors, but they have done nothing. And when I mention my career ambition to my family, all I get from them is, "That's nice, dear."

Please respond, Abby. My dream is turning into a nightmare. -- I HAVE A DREAM

******************

As you might imagine, the response poured in, including one from our very own Democratic presidential candidate. Here's how Dear Abby introduced John's letter:

Dear readers: This is Abby. I'm still receiving fascinating letters in support of "I Have a Dream," the 13-year-old girl who was ridiculed by her teacher and classmates for revealing that she'd one day like to be president of the United States. Here's one from Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the probable Democratic candidate for the presidency in the November election:

Dear "I Have a Dream": I was touched by your letter to Dear Abby, and I want you to know that you can become the president of the United States because of who you are, not in spite of it. I have no doubt a woman will be president one day, and America would be lucky to have you leading us every step of the way.

When young people like you express such a desire to make a difference in people's lives, you should be applauded. Your teacher and your classmates were wrong to laugh at your dream.

What you already know, but they seem to have forgotten, is that we live in a country where every child, girl or boy, has an equal chance to grow up and become president, or a teacher, or a doctor, or a CEO or the shopkeeper down the street. That is what makes our country unlike any place on Earth. Anything is possible.

But to do the things we believe in, we all have to work hard, do our best and fight those who do not always believe in us. It is not easy to ignore their criticism, and it is tough to look beyond their doubts. But remember, doubters never made America a better place. It is people like you - people who dream big and are filled with hope - who make a difference in this world.

Always remember that the great thing about America is that you can become president, and you should never let anyone tell you different.

--Senator John Kerry

******************

Immediately after John's letter, Abby paid John a nice compliment:

'DEAR SEN. KERRY: To say that you are a busy man these days is an understatement. That you would still reach out to help a child says volumes about you as a person."

You can write to Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 4:15pm
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I'm sure Kerry relates to this on a personal level.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-24-2004
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 1:18am
Thanks for posting this, it was very nice to hear something positive came from something so negative. That teacher should be ashamed of himself.

Venus