Chris Jepson: Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your service to America. You comported yourself as president with dignity, aplomb and wisdom. I greatly admire your generosity of spirit, your exceptional ability to clearly speak with patience and knowledge, and your willingness to remain upbeat when confronting the many intractable problems besetting our world and nation. You have been a calm, reassuring presence on the world stage. Your administration has been one of clean government without a hint of scandal or corruption. Your family has been a joy to watch and a loving inspiration to all Americans. Kudos to you and your loved ones.

On noon of Jan. 20, 2017, a new president will be sworn in and you will return to being just another citizen of the United States, albeit a very special one. I understand that you will be remaining in Washington after you leave the presidency in order to give your youngest daughter, Sasha, the opportunity to complete her education where she started. A laudable objective.

I’ve read that you’re uncertain as to what you might do as a former president of the United States. I understand you’ve toyed with the idea of being a law professor. In an article last year, you said you’d love to own part of an NBA franchise. Or serve, perhaps, as a professional sports league commissioner. Aside: from my ideal perspective I’d like to see a President Hillary Clinton nominate you to the Supreme Court.

Mr. President, you will be a relatively young man, at age 55, upon retirement from the presidency. You will have many years to continue making a difference in the lives of Americans. You’ve announced the selection of the south side of Chicago to locate your presidential library. I consider that an inspired location. And it is Chicago that I wish you would now devote your considerable intellect, influence and energy.

Rather, Mr. President, from staying in Washington at the close of your term, return to Chicago. Return to your roots as a community organizer. Chicago is where it all started for you and now more than ever Chicago desperately requires your leadership. You clearly are committed to improving the lives of Americans. Return to your adopted hometown and marshal the resources (that only you can secure) and address the unbelievably tragic murder rates and soul-crushing poverty of Chicago’s south and west sides.

This past August recorded 92 murders in Chicago, a total that is more than all the murders in New York and Los Angeles combined. Poverty is the underlying issue and you, Mr. President, can be the much-needed catalyst to economically revitalize Chicago’s impoverished neighborhoods. Chicago has the corporate leadership to partner with community organizations. You, sir, have the credibility to talk with business leaders throughout the world about locating their next job-producing venture (manufacturing, telecommunications, distribution, etc.) in Chicago, specifically in those neighborhoods where economic opportunity is so limited.

I was at gathering recently and tossed out my idea of you returning to Chicago to help that city heal and grow. Several folks said, in essence, that poverty and gun violence in America are endemic and nothing really can be done. I disagree.

I know nothing will be achieved if we do not try. Poverty and violence are surmountable. If one idea fails, try another. We must keep trying. You, sir, can testify to that. Return to Chicago, Mr. President, and once again shout from the rooftops, “Yes we can.”