"I'm running for Senate to deal with serious issues blacks face here": Obama's brother sells handwritten letter from 1995

theGrio REPORT - President Obama’s half-brother, Malik Abongo “Roy” Obama, has sold a handwritten letter from the president, penned 20 years ago.

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President Obama’s half-brother, Malik Abongo “Roy” Obama, has sold a handwritten letter from the president, penned 20 years ago.

In the brotherly note dated July 23rd, 1995, the future president reveals his reasoning for getting into politics.

“Some colleagues of mine here have talked me into running for the Illinois State Senate (like being an MP for a province),” Obama wrote. “I have agreed, since I have an interest in politics to deal with some serious ­issues blacks face here.”

At the time, he was a 33-year-old lawyer in Chicago and appeared to have some reluctance about going into politics full-time.

“Of course, it involves a lot of campaigning, going to meetings and so on, which I don’t find so attractive.” He laments. “Anyway, if I win it will only be a part-time post, and I will ­continue my work as a lawyer.”

According to Page Six, Malik sold the letter as a package with a copy of a manuscript of Obama’s first book, “Dreams From My Father,” with handwritten notes.

Aside from career aspirations, Obama also jovially inquires about his brother’s love life, and gives an update on his wife Michelle and his mother, who died 4 months after the letter was written.

I received your postcard, along with the news that you’ve found a new wife. Man, I must say you don’t fool around! Please write and tell me more about her. A photo would also be nice, although I have no doubt that she is beautiful.

Michelle is fine, also busy with her work. My mom’s health has been stabilized for now, but she is by no means cured and continues to undergo extensive treatment.

This isn’t the first time that Malik has sold some of the president’s old letters. In 2013, he sold two others for nearly $30,000.

After decades of warmth, the relationship between the brothers has recently turned tense. Just a few months ago, Malik called Obama a “schemer” in an interview. “He’s not been an honest man … in who he is and what he says and how he treats people,” he said.

The letter, which is now a reminder of happier times, signs off, “Much love — Barack.”

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