Dinner with Roosevelt by Brianna

Dinner with Roosevelt by Brianna - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

If I could have dinner with any U.S. President living or dead, it would be Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Our 32nd President is one of the nation’s most impactful Presidents with one of the most interesting presidencies. From 1933 to 1945 (12 years- longer than any U.S. President!), Americans looked up to FDR as the they struggled through two major events that would change the course of American history: the Great Depression and World War Two. Although leading a struggling nation through these incredibly rough times seems like quite a challenge, FDR still managed to do it all- even as he battled polio! Franklin Delano Roosevelt was an incredible man and a great President; it would be an honor for me to have dinner with the 32nd President of the United States.
During our dinner of grilled cheese (those were his favorite while in the White House), I would tell FDR about his most famous words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” The words he said gave hope to the entire nation during the most hopeless time and in the times to come. I would ask him how he fabricated such an inspirational quote, and if he practiced what he preached. Next I would thank him for the risks he took to help the nation during its most troubled times. One thing FDR did that many Americans admire was his use of fireside chats: he talked to the nation directly through the radio, the first President to ever do so! During these chats, he updated the nation in what he and the government were planning to do, so no American had to be left in the dark about future policies. I would be sure to express gratitude for his New Deal: not only has it helped Americans during the Great Depression, it continues to make impact today. Also, I would ask about his challenges in being President during such a difficult time. Congress and even some Americans were hesitant about FDR’s plans for America. I would tell FDR that he was admirable for being persistent in helping the nation despite any obstacles.
I wouldn’t spend the entire dinner telling FDR good things about himself. I would ask him some serious questions as well. One of them would be: “Why weren’t you as willing to help certain people as your wife Eleanor was?” While FDR’s outstanding wife Eleanor Roosevelt was adamant about civil rights and anti-lynching laws, FDR was less so. Another question I would ask him is: “Why did you make Japanese-Americans live in internment camps even though they had nothing to do with Pearl Harbor?” Although I don’t know the exact reasoning for FDR’s actions, I can assume that he did what he believed was best for the nation at the time.
In conclusion, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a great, though not perfect, President of the United States. Having a dinner of grilled cheese with him would be an interesting and honorable experience.