“There is still so much I don’t know about America, about life, and about what the future holds. But I know who I am. My father, Fraser, taught me to work hard, to laugh often, and to keep my word. My mother, Marian, taught me to think for myself and to speak out. Together, in our small apartment on Chicago’s South Side, they helped me understand what made our story, my story, and the story of our country so valuable. Even when it’s far from beautiful and perfect. Even when reality hits you harder than you’d like. Your story is yours, and it always will be. It’s yours to make.”

Translated from English (United States) by Odile Demange and Isabelle Taudière.