Michelle Obama visits Howard University

[Arnold Hayes]

It must have been an incredible inspiration to all the college students at Howard University to have the first lady of the United States Michelle Obama visit them. Think of it, here you are a student and person of color looking at the first lady who happens to look like you!

There will be students whose lives will never be the same as a result. The dreams of these college students and others like them will be expanded. No matter what your political affiliation is you must grasp the significance of this event and others like this on the minds of black youth and the African American community as a whole.

There are literally no more excuses, no more whining and no more crying about how you can’t make it because of the color of your skin. My life has been forever changed by the President and the first lady. My dreams are higher and I stand a little taller.

If we could all serve our communities, champion education and be role models for our kids the future will become brighter and brighter. I like what Michelle said to the students at Howard “The question that I hate most that we ask of young people is, ‘What are you going to be when you grow up?’ And the truth is, I still don’t know, and I’m 45 years old,” she said. “All I know is that it’s important for you to be true to yourselves, not to worry too much about what other people are going to think or make of your choices, because everyone will question what you do and tell you that you should have done it the other way.”

Arnold Hayes