Articles — Rebecca Pitts

All but one of our Presidents have been white and all have been men. Of course we *know* this fact, but to see it pictorially, well.... wow.

THE NEXT PRESIDENT 🇺🇸(by Kate Messner and illustrated by Adam Rex) is an offering of hope in the face of this truth. It feels good to read it this week because we know what’s coming next and *who* is coming next.

Messner’s bold and inspiring message of possibility bookends the heart of the book: glimpses into the childhood experiences of our nation’s Presidents. And even in the face of stacked odds and unlikely nominations, the message is clear: maybe, one day, *you* dear reader, will be our next President.

So we lean into this book as a starting place. I ask my white son and my white daughter:

💭What do you notice about the people who become President?

💭Do you think *anyone* can become President?

💭Why is it important that people of different backgrounds, genders, races, and identities become President?

💭Do you know who will be our Vice President tomorrow?

💭That she is the first woman, Black person, and South Asian-American person to hold the second highest office on the land?

💭Do you know that history is being made tomorrow? Do you know why our family celebrates?

While we wait, this book is a starting place. A dream of what our next 45 Presidents could be. A dream that any child right now — especially girls, especially BIPOC kids, especially kids of immigrants, especially LGBTQ+ kids — they, too, could one day be our very next President.

I cannot wait.

Our next President (and Vice President) can’t come soon enough. 🇺🇸