Page Two
My guess from afar is that African-Americans might interpret the very effective slogan to mean `if one of us can become President of the US, any of us can'. Since becoming President appears to be the ultimate goal for any American, the combined message of Barack Obama's success and the belief instilled in many in `Change' — whatever that might mean — is extremely powerful.
Watching the faces of the crowds on election night, and since, Mr Obama and his message obviously engaged the emotions of voters. This carries danger. Expectations are so high that now he is attempting to bring reason into the picture. I don't know if anyone is hearing him.
He is not `The Second Coming' and he knows it. He must recognise that his successful campaign idea of unspecified change could be his undoing. As is the case with all newly-elected leaders, only part of the picture is visible to the President-Elect until power changes hands, despite the `work shadowing' that I see on TV. I wonder what he will find when he finally gets to call the Oval Office his own.
For those of us living right next door, the election of a US President and the subsequent actions of the US are highly important. Our neighbour has a history of doing whatever he likes in his yard without regard of its effects on us. Sometimes there is even encroachment. It's like having a neighbour who decides to build a huge workshop next to your patio and then use it for major car repairs for his friends who party all night. He has the right to do it but is oblivious to the effects on his neighbours.
Can Barack Obama bring the kind of change needed to make the US image that of a good neighbour and friend and not a bully or opportunist? Can he change the US foreign relations style into one that is based on cooperation — a modern concept of respect for, and understanding of, other cultures? This model is idealistic, I suppose, and therefore difficult, but possible — probably essential considering how small our world is and how inter-related we are in so many aspects, particularly financial. The current market shambles demonstrates this well. Can Barack Obama make people understand that change must be slow and reasoned? It must be an evolution, not a revolution. Will people wait?
As one who has played the role of the Change Agent in my career, I have to say it is not a comfortable one. People insist they want change, they need it, and you know they will hate it. When you put the changes into practice, you are lucky to escape alive. Change is uncomfortable. People are loathe to give up the familiar even if it is necessary to do so to move them to a better place, a place they say they want to be.
It would be wonderful to get past the issue of race but I don't see that this election did that. Perhaps if Barack Obama had emphasised and taken a strong position on specific vital issues, my perception would be different. Perhaps this is hard to do in personality politics. Attention is directed to the candidates' wardrobes (although the Prime Minister did appear on a regular basis wearing regular guy cozy sweaters as opposed to his suit in an attempt to soften his robotic image) or families or gaffes or whatever will grab the audience. Candidates making appearances as faux comedians is sort of ugly and I would think an insult to the position for which they are vying.
That superficiality undermines the seriousness of the election process in a democracy. It's as if democracy can be taken for granted; that it's not a privilege to be living in a country where citizens have the right to participate in elections. How can the US convince emerging countries to adopt a democratic system when its own election process is a circus?
But you did get it right and it was heart-warming to see the footage of the crowds as the winner was announced. I join with millions to congratulate the US on its election. I know its meaning to Americans is far more complex than I can fully comprehend.
For Canadians, electing a Prime Minister from the First Nations, who have strong and competent leaders, would have a similar meaning. I hope to see this happen in my lifetime. Thankfully, I come from sturdy stock.
